2006 California Proposition 85

Proposition 85

Waiting Period/Parental Notification
Results
Choice Votes % Yes 3,868,714 45.81% No 4,576,128 54.19% Valid votes 8,444,842 100.00% Invalid or blank votes 0 0.00% Total votes 8,444,842 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 15,837,108 53.32%
For   60%–70%   50%–60% Against   70%–80%   60%–70%   50%–60%

California Proposition 85, the Parental Notification Initiative, was a proposition on the ballot for California voters in the general election of November 7, 2006. It was similar to the previous year's Proposition 73. It failed by a vote of 46%-54%.

Text from the California Voter Information Guide

Parental Notification before Termination of Teen's Pregnancy (second attempt at Proposition 73)

• PDF Document File of Official Voter Information Guide: Proposition 85

Summary

Summary as prepared by the State Attorney General "Amends California constitution prohibiting abortion for unemancipated minor until 48 hours after physician notifies parent/guardian, except in medical emergency or parental waiver. Mandates reporting requirements. Authorizes monetary damages against physicians for violation. Put on ballot by Petition Signatures."^[1]

Did not pass^[2]

• 3,868,714 (45.8%) voted for it
• 4,576,128 (54.2%) voted against it

Goals

• Increase teen communication with parents^[3]
• Allow parents to help child make appropriate health care decisions ^[3]
• Provide needed health care history to physicians^[3]
• Possibly prevent minor from something as traumatic as an abortion^[3]
• Provide a strong support system^[3]

Vote meaning

A "yes" vote to this would mean that the state constitution would require a physician to notify the guardian of a minor prior to performing an abortion.^[1]

A "no" vote to this would mean minors would continue to receive abortion services to the same extent as adults. Physicians performing abortions for minors would not be subject to notification requirements.^[1]

Background

• 1953 - Law was created that enabled minors to have abortions without parental consent or knowledge^[4]
• 1987 - Legislature amended this law to require minors to get parental or guardian consent before having an abortion performed^[4]
• 1997 - Voted against the law therefore allowing minors to have an abortion without consent or knowledge by guardian^[4]

Exceptions to Proposition 85

Medical Emergencies: An abortion is necessary to preserve the life of the mother^[4]

Waivers Approved by Guardian: Guardian signs a waiver that gets rid of the notification requirements^[4]

Waivers Approved by Court: Waiver given to a minor who asks for it and if the courts finds the minor to be well informed and mature enough to make the decision to have the abortion^[4]

Penalty

Any person who performs an abortion on a minor without consent by parents or guardian would be found guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by fine.^[4]

Endorsements

• Sharon Runner
• Ben Stein
• Bill O'Reilly
• Dr. Laura Schlessinger
• Laura Ingraham
• Jim Holman, San Diego Reader

References

1. "Proposition 85: Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor's Pregnancy - California State Government".
2. State Ballot Measures Archived 2006-12-14 at the Wayback Machine
3. "Fall 2006 - Proposition 85: What's At Stake for Our Teens? | California Black Women's Health Project". Archived from the original on 2014-02-28. Retrieved 2012-11-30.
4. "2006 Proposition 85: Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor's Pregnancy. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.e".

• Legislative Analyst's Office
• California Black Women's Health Project
• League of Women Voters

External links

• Yes on 85
• HealthVote.org: Neutral Information & Analysis about Proposition 85
• Video Voter California - Short, straightforward video explanation of Prop. 85
• Non-partisan resources & vote sharing network for Californians
• Official Voter Information Guide: Proposition 85
• Campaign Expenditure Details for Proposition 85, Parental Notification