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Friends of Sarah staff members sent the
following press release on Monday, June 6 to all major media in California:
Sarah's Law
The Child & Teen Safety
and Stop Predators Act of 2008
Call Toll Free (866) 828-8355 FriendsofSarah.com
'Sarah's Law' qualifies for Nov. 4 ballot
Proponents note 2008 version of parental notification answers critics' objections
to earlier measures
Contact: Mike Byrne, (866) 828-8355
Sarah's Law, the latest version of an initiative requiring family involvement in
a minor's abortion, has qualified for the Nov. 4 ballot, the California Secretary
of State has determined. The measure seeks to protect minors from the dangers of
secret abortions, while at the same time answering objections from opponents to
earlier parental notification initiatives.
Named for a
15-year-old girl who died just four days after an abortion left her
with a torn cervix and fatal infection, Sarah's Law will protect the health and
safety of young girls and prevent sexual predators from hiding behind secret abortions
performed on their minor victims. Physicians in Sarah's case said that, had an adult
family member been aware that she had undergone an abortion, her life likely could
have been spared by prompt medical attention.
Opponents of parental involvement have claimed that such laws endanger minors from
abusive homes. Sarah's Law will ensure that young girls in this situation are protected
by providing that, if she reports abuse by either parent, the physician could instead
notify another adult family member - a grandparent, aunt, step-parent, or adult
sibling. The measure also includes judicial bypass provisions and a means by which
parents can pre-authorize minor abortions without being informed.
Proponents submitted more
than 1.2 million signatures on petitions seeking a rematch
on adult involvement in minors' abortions, after Propositions 73 and 85 were narrowly
defeated in 2005 and 2006. On Friday, May 30, the Secretary of State, using random
sampling, determined that Sarah's Law had qualified and will be placed before voters
in November.
If approved by voters, Sarah's Law will require a physician to notify a parent or
other adult family member before
performing an abortion on a minor girl under the
age of 18.
"Legislation was passed in this state in October requiring a minor to bring a parent
into a tanning salon to sign a consent form because of health risks," said Grace
Dulaney, Sarah's Law spokeswoman. "Common sense would dictate that some adult in
the family be notified prior to an abortion, a serious medical procedure with significant
potential health risks.
"Additionally, many of these minor girls are impregnated by adult male sexual predators
who, under California law, are hiding their crimes of statutory rape by coercing
their victims to have secret abortions,"
said Dulaney. "Sarah's Law shows that we
don't have to choose between protecting young girls from the dangers of secret abortions
and ensuring their safety at home. This is a win-win solution. It's a progressive
law for a progressive state."
For broadcast interviews: Grace Dulaney, 760-580-5753 (Southern
California) or Dolores Meehan (Bay Area) 415-860-7899, Albin Rhomberg (Sacramento)
916-427-1671
For print media interviews: Erica Little, 619-507-8113, Catherine
Short 707-337-6880, Albin Rhomberg 916-427-1671
Other questions or interview requests: Mike Byrne, 866-828-8355 |