2005 California Proposition 73

Proposition 73, the Parental Notification Initiative, would have amended the California Constitution to bar abortion on an unemancipated minor until 48 hours after physician notifies minor's parent/legal guardian, except in medical emergency or with parental waiver. The amendment permitted a judicial waiver of notice based on clear and convincing evidence of the minor's maturity or best interests. The minor's physician must report abortions performed on minors and State shall compile statistics. The amendment authorized monetary damages for violation. The minor must consent to abortion unless mentally incapable or in medical emergency. Permits judicial relief if minor's consent to abortion is coerced.

Proposition 73

Waiting Period/Parental Notification
Results
Choice Votes % Yes 3,676,592 47.22% No 4,109,430 52.78% Valid votes 7,786,022 97.71% Invalid or blank votes 182,735 2.29% Total votes 7,968,757 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 15,891,482 50.14%
For   60%–70%   50%–60% Against   70%–80%   60%–70%   50%–60%

State official summary

Proposition 73: Termination of Minor's Pregnancy. Waiting Period and Parental Notification. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

Ballot Summary

Amends California Constitution to bar abortion on unemancipated minor until 48 hours after physician notifies minor's parent/legal guardian, except in medical emergency or with parental waiver. However, the abortion can still be enacted by the minor with or without the parent's approval after the parents have been notified. Permits judicial waiver of notice based on clear and convincing evidence of minor's maturity or minor's best interests. Physician must report abortions performed on minors and State shall compile statistics. Authorizes monetary damages for violation. Minor must consent to abortion unless mentally incapable or in medical emergency. Permits judicial relief if minor's consent to abortion is coerced. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: The net costs of this measure to Medi-Cal and other programs are unknown, but are probably not significant in the context of the total expenditures for these programs.

Results

Did not pass

• Yes: 3,676,592 (47.2%)
• No: 4,109,430 (52.8%)

Endorsements

Video endorsements

• Patrick Warburton
• James Caviezel

Radio spots

• Patricia Heaton
• Dr. Laura Schlessinger
• Ben Stein
• Laura Ingraham
• Robert Davi

Newspapers

• Jim Holman, owner, San Diego Reader

External links

• HealthVote.org: Non-partisan Information & Analysis about Proposition 73
• VoteCircle.com Non-partisan resources & vote sharing network for Californians
• Proposition 73: Parental Notification of Abortion, Institute of Governmental Studies Library
• Yes on 73
• Parent's Right To Know
• Campaign for Teen Safety