April 18th, 2007 -
“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court to uphold the ban on
partial birth abortion that we passed in 2003 is a historic victory
for the majority of Americans who view this procedure as inhumane
and contradictory to our core values. This ruling is a reminder
that, even in the face of challenges and setbacks, we must never
give up the fight to defend the defenseless among us. The millions
of Americans who never gave up hope should feel proud today, as we
have taken a significant step to reclaiming the culture of life that
defines us as a nation.”
COLEMAN APPLAUDS SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL TO PROHBIT MINORS
FROM CROSSING STATE LINES FOR ABORTIONS
Legislation would prevent minors from
circumventing state parental notification laws by traveling across
state lines
July 25th, 2006 - Washington, D.C. - Senator Norm Coleman today
joined his colleagues in the Senate in voting to pass the Child
Custody Protection Act, which would make it a federal offense for
non-parents to transport a minor across state lines to obtain an
abortion. Passing by a vote of 65 to 34, the bill is intended to
prevent children from traveling to another state in order to
circumvent their home state’s parental notification laws. Coleman is
a co-sponsor of the legislation
“When it comes to the health of our children, I think it is
important that we remember the vital role that a parent plays,” said
Coleman. “If a child’s home state requires parental notification,
then no other individual should be able to circumvent the law by
taking the child across state lines. This bill will protect the
right of every state to apply their own parental notification laws
to residents while ensuring that the health of the children involved
is not being sacrificed. Protecting our children should be our top
priority, and I am hopeful that this legislation will become the law
of the land
Provisions of the legislation would:
- Amend the Federal criminal code to prohibit transporting a
minor across a state line to obtain an abortion if this would
circumvent parental notification laws in the state of the
minor’s residence
- Make an exception if the abortion was necessary to save the
life of the minor
- Specify that neither the minor transported nor her parent
may be prosecuted or sued for a violation of this Act
- Authorize any parent who suffers harm from a violation to
obtain appropriate relief in a civil action; and
- Allow violations to include a fine or not more than a year
in prison
“This bill does not preempt current state laws on parental
notification before an abortion. Instead it will serve as a
compliment to state laws by ensuring that a resident cannot avoid
their own state’s laws by crossing the border,” Coleman added.
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