HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 08181987 - 1.33 46ARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: Phil Batchelor Contra
County Administrator CostaDATE: August 12, 1987 �^J�`v �.�,�
SUBJECT; J�,�� ��y
Legislation: Assembly Bill 2274 (Frazee)
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION•
Adopt a position in opposition to AB 2274 by Assemblyman Frazee
which would prohibit an unemancipated minor from giving consent
to an abortion or sterilization procedures.
BACKGROUND:
Under current law, an unmarried minor may give consent to the
furnishing of medical care relating to the prevention or
treatment of pregnancy without the consent of a parent, except
for sterilization procedures. This provision has been
interpreted by the courts to include authorization for a minor to
consent to an abortion.
Assemblyman Frazee has introduced AB 2274 which would still allow
an unemancipated minor to give consent to medical care for the
prevention or treatment of pregnancy, but would exempt an
abortion from the care for which she can give authorization.
The Advisory Committee on the Employment and Economic Status of
Women has strongly opposed AB 2274 and has requested that the
Board join them .in this opposition.
It somehow seems incongruous to allow a minor to consent to birth.
control information and devices and allow her to consent to
medical care for a child she does not want, but not to allow her
to terminate the pregnancy. There have been. too many cases of
child .abuse inflicted on babies who were unwanted, of beatings of
the pregnant mother by parents who found out about the pregnancy,
and of illegal and medically dangerous abortions to prohibit a
young woman from consenting to an abortion when she can consent
to all other forms of medical care related to pregnancy.
AB 2274 provides that if the pregnant young woman refuses to seek
her parents' consent, or if one of the parents refuses to consent
to the abortion, the only choice the young woman would have is a
procedure set forth in the bill allowing for filing a petition
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE;
X RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
X APPROVE OTHER
S I GNATURE E S_1' `J _
ACTION OF BOARD ON August 18-, 1987 A:IPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT; ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
County Administrator
cc: ATTESTED
Health Services Director
- -i- _.—
Adv. Com. on the Employment & PHIL BATC ELOR, CLERK OF THE BOARD OF
Economic Status of Women SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Jackson/Barish & Associates
Assemblyman Robert Frazee BY
M382/7-83 ,DEPUTY
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Page 2
in court. The judge would be required to hold a hearing and
could grant the young woman' s request.
AB 2274 provides that it is a misdemeanor to perform an abortion
on an unmarried or unemancipated minor without following the
procedures set forth in the bill. Conviction can carry a $1,000
fine or 30 days in jail, or both.
Based on the opposition of the Advisory Committee on the
Employment and Economic Status of Women and the perceived concern
of the Board for the problems of teenage pregnancy, it is
recommended that the Board oppose AB 2274.