On June 7, the New Hampshire legislature repealed a 2003 law requiring young women to notify their parents prior to an abortion. The law was the strictest in the country when passed. It included no exception for medical emergencies.
Planned Parenthood of Northern New England led the challenge to the law, arguing that the lack of a medical emergency provision was unconstitutional. U.S. District Court judge Joseph DiClerico struck down the law just before it took effect. The Supreme Court later ruled the lack of a medical provision unconstitutional, but sent the entire matter back to DiClerico for a final decision.
The judge delayed his final decision in deference to a push to repeal the law in the state legislature. Right-wing bigots in New Hampshire have promised to reintroduce a parental notification bill in January.
