Opinion ID: 201353
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: 2 In June 2003, the New Hampshire legislature passed AN ACT requiring parental notification before abortions may be performed on unemancipated minors, which states that: 3 No abortion shall be performed upon an unemancipated minor or upon a female for whom a guardian or conservator has been appointed pursuant to RSA 464-A because of a finding of incompetency, until at least 48 hours after written notice of the pending abortion has been delivered in the manner specified in paragraphs II and III. 4 RSA 132:25, I. 1 Paragraph II specifies that written notice shall be addressed to the parent at the usual place of abode of the parent and delivered personally to the parent by the physician or an agent. RSA 132:25, II. Paragraph III allows for notification by certified mail with return receipt requested and with restricted delivery to the addressee. RSA 132:25, III. The notice requirement is waived if 5 (a) The attending abortion provider certifies in the pregnant minor's medical record that the abortion is necessary to prevent the minor's death and there is insufficient time to provide required notice; or 6 (b) The person or persons who are entitled to notice certify in writing that they have been notified. 7 RSA 132:26, I. 8 If a minor does not want her parent or guardian notified, she may request a state judge, after a hearing, to authorize an abortion provider to perform the abortion if said judge determines that the pregnant minor is mature and capable of giving informed consent to the proposed abortion, or if the judge determines that the performance of an abortion upon her without notification of her parent, guardian, or conservator would be in her best interests. RSA 132:26, II. In these proceedings, the pregnant minor may act on her own behalf or be appointed a guardian ad litem, and she must also be advised that she has a right to request court-appointed counsel. RSA 132:26, II(a). The court proceedings shall be confidential and shall be given such precedence over other pending matters so that the court may reach a decision promptly and without delay so as to serve the best interest of the pregnant minor. RSA 132:26, II(b). Specifically, [i]n no case shall the court fail to rule within 7 calendar days from the time the petition is filed. RSA 132:26, II(b). The judge must also make in writing specific factual findings and legal conclusions, and order a record of the evidence to be maintained. RSA 132:26, II(b). 9 If the minor's petition is denied, an expedited confidential appeal shall be available, and the appellate court must rule within seven calendar days of the docketing of the appeal. Access to the trial and appellate courts for the purposes of these petitions shall be afforded such a pregnant minor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. RSA 132:26, II(c). 10 Violation of the Act can result in criminal penalties and civil liability: 11 Performance of an abortion in violation of this subdivision shall be a misdemeanor and shall be grounds for a civil action by a person wrongfully denied notification. A person shall not be held liable under this section if the person establishes by written evidence that the person relied upon evidence sufficient to convince a careful and prudent person that the representations of the pregnant minor regarding information necessary to comply with this section are bona fide and true, or if the person has attempted by reasonable diligence to deliver notice, but has been unable to do so. 12 RSA 132:27. The Act was to take effect on December 31, 2003. 2003 N.H. Laws 173. 13 On November 17, 2003, plaintiffs-appellees Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, Concord Feminist Health Center of Portsmouth, Feminist Health Center of Portsmouth, and Wayne Goldner, M.D. (plaintiffs) filed a complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, seeking a declaratory judgment that the Act is unconstitutional and a preliminary injunction to prevent its enforcement once it became effective. 2 The district court merged the preliminary and permanent injunction proceedings and, on December 29, 2003, issued an order holding the Act unconstitutional and permanently enjoining its enforcement. 14 The district court found unconstitutional both (1) the lack of an explicit exception to protect the health of the pregnant minor, and (2) the narrowness of the Act's exception for abortions necessary to prevent the minor's death. Having found the Act fatally flawed in these respects, the district court declined to rule on the constitutionality of the Act's failure to provide specific protections for the confidentiality of a minor seeking a judicial waiver. 15 The Attorney General, acting in his official capacity, appeals.