U.S. House of Representatives
Committee on the Judiciary
F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr., Chairman
_______________________________________
News Advisory
For immediate release
Contact: Jeff Lungren/Terry Shawn
July 19, 2004
202-225-2492
Hearing Tuesday on Bill Creating Federal Crime for Circumvention of Parental Notification Laws
What: Legislative Hearing on H.R. 1755, the “Child Custody Protection Act”
Who: Constitution Subcommittee - Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH), Chairman
When: 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Where: 2141 Rayburn Building
The Child Custody Protection Act (CCPA) was introduced by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) and currently has 106 cosponsors. The Act would make it a federal offense to knowingly transport a minor across a state line, with the intent that she obtain an abortion, in circumvention of a valid state parental consent or parental notification law. Violation of the Act is a Class One misdemeanor, carrying a fine of up to $100,000 and incarceration of up to one year.
Background...
In most circumstances, the parents of a pregnant minor are the individuals best suited to provide her counsel, guidance, and support as she decides whether to continue her pregnancy or to undergo an abortion.
Despite widespread support for parental involvement laws and clear public policy considerations justifying such laws, these laws are frequently circumvented by adults who transport minors to abortion providers in states that do not have parental notification or consent laws.
The Child Custody Protection Act ...
Is intended to protect the rights of parents and the interests of vulnerable minors by curbing interstate circumvention of parental notification laws.
Passed the House in 2002 by a vote of 260 to 161. Identical legislation passed in 1999 by a margin of 270 to 159.
Witnesses: Ms. Joyce Farley, Victim, Dushore, Pennsylvania; Mr. Mark Rosen, Associate Professor of Law, Chicago-Kent College of Law;; Ms. Teresa S. Collett, Professor of Law, University of St. Thomas School of Law; and Reverend Lois M. Powell, United Church of Christ.