Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Debate at Judiciary Committee as Connecticut Lawmakers Weigh Parental Notification for Minors Seeking Abortion
Summary
The state Judiciary Committee heard hours of testimony for and against HB5309, a bill that would require providers to notify a parent or guardian before a minor obtains an abortion; supporters cited safety and trafficking risks while medical groups warned the requirement would delay care and endanger vulnerable teens.
The Judiciary Committee heard competing appeals on HB5309 on March 2, when dozens of witnesses urged lawmakers either to approve a parental‑notification requirement for minors seeking pregnancy‑related care or to reject it as harmful.
Supporters framed the bill as a safety measure. "A minor should not have to process this waiting alone," said Doctor Kathleen Johnson, a registered nurse and CEO of St. Gerard’s Center for Life, urging committee members to back the measure to ensure parents can help minors after a procedure. Several other speakers — including parents, clergy, and survivors — told the committee they had seen cases where traffickers or abusers used secrecy to…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
