DELAWARE -- Delaware House Bill 46, introduced by House Republican Bryan Shupe (RD-36), looks to adjust the state's current abortion laws. It would require minors under the age of 16 to receive parental consent for the procedure.
Representative Shupe told WBOC that the state's current laws require minors under the age of 16 to notify their household prior to getting an abortion. The proposal would require parents to also sign off on the procedure.
"There are many cases in Delaware where the parent or guardian does not know about the abortion," Shupe said. "This law allows for families to understand what's going on and to have a discussion about that life-changing operation."
Shupe said the legislation comes from concerns he heard from families across Delaware.
"Families are concerned that an organization would be having conversations and potentially making decisions for a child who doesn't understand the full scope of her decisions," Shupe said.
Shupe told WBOC the proposal does not remove safeguards in place from the previous legislation that allows an exemption for minors who may be unable to notify their families for safety reasons. The proposed bill would keep protections against abuse and neglect already in current law. Shupe said that the judicial review process would remain the same for the proposed consent requirement.
Mike Brickner, the Executive Director for Delaware's ACLU Chapter, said he worries the legislation creates an unnecessary barrier.
"I think at a time where we are seeing attacks on reproductive healthcare across the country, this bill is going in the wrong direction," Brickner said.
Brickner said the judicial review process for appealing the requirement can often be daunting for young people, and said he believes the proposed legislation could put some minors in Delaware at risk.
"They might come from an abusive household, they might have a parent who's incredibly unsupportive," Brickner said. "They might even come from a household where they're pregnant because it's a product of incest or abuse from their parent."
Shupe said the bill will go before the Delaware House Health Committee on Wednesday, March 26th.