A new bill introduced in Delaware would require minors under 16 to obtain parental consent before undergoing an abortion, with some exceptions. House Bill 46, introduced by Rep. Bryan Shupe (R-Milford), includes provisions allowing minors to bypass parental consent in cases of medical emergencies, abuse, neglect, coercion, or when a Family Court determines it is not in the minor’s best interest. The proposal also allows a court to permit an abortion without parental consent if it finds that the minor is mature and well-informed enough to make the decision independently. This measure comes alongside Senate Bill 5, which advocates for women to have the ability to make abortion decisions independently of parental consent.
District 36 State Rep. Bryan Shupe
Photo: housegop.delaware.gov