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%

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

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

Summary

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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

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  • 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

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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

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  • 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

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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

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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

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b c d e "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. ^ a b c d e f g "2006 Proposition 85: Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor's Pregnancy. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.e".
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