H.R.799 - Parental Notification and Intervention Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.799, the Parental Notification and Intervention Act of 2025, mandates that parents of unemancipated minors be notified before an abortion is performed. It requires written notification, a 96-hour waiting period, and allows parents to seek injunctions to prevent the abortion. The bill includes exceptions for medical emergencies and preempts state laws only if they provide lesser parental notification requirements.
Expected Effects
This bill, if enacted, would increase parental involvement in a minor's decision to have an abortion. It would likely lead to fewer abortions for minors due to parental notification and potential legal challenges. Healthcare providers would face new legal requirements and potential penalties for non-compliance.
Potential Benefits
- Strengthens parental rights and involvement in significant healthcare decisions of their children.
- May reduce the number of abortions performed on minors.
- Provides a legal avenue for parents to intervene if they disagree with their child's decision.
- Could lead to more open communication within families regarding reproductive health.
- Includes exceptions for medical emergencies, prioritizing the minor's health.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Infringes on the bodily autonomy and privacy of minors.
- Could delay or prevent necessary medical care in time-sensitive situations (despite the medical emergency exception, interpretation may vary).
- May create additional barriers and emotional distress for minors seeking abortions, especially in abusive or dysfunctional family situations.
- Could disproportionately affect minors from marginalized communities or those without supportive families.
- May lead to increased legal challenges and burdens on healthcare providers.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutionality is questionable, particularly concerning the right to privacy as interpreted from the Fourteenth Amendment, which has been used to protect abortion access. The Supreme Court's jurisprudence on parental consent and notification laws allows for some restrictions, but these must not create an undue burden on the minor's right to seek an abortion. The preemption clause respects state laws that provide greater protection, aligning with principles of federalism.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).