New Hampshire: The House last week voted 226-130 to pass a bill (HB 184) that would repeal a state law (HB 763) requiring physicians in the state to notify by certified letter a parent or guardian of a minor who is seeking an abortion at least 48 hours before performing the procedure, the Manchester Union Leader reports (Fahey, Manchester Union Leader, 3/11). The law also bars parents from forbidding the procedure, and the notification requirement could be bypassed by a judge if a doctor determines that the minor's life is in danger. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England; the American Civil Liberties Union; the Concord Feminist Health Center; the Feminist Health Center of Portsmouth, N.H.; and Manchester, N.H.-based ob-gyn Wayne Goldner in November 2003 filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the law. U.S. District Judge Joseph DiClerico and the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals subsequently struck down the entire law. New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte (R) appealed the rulings to the U.S. Supreme Court, saying that the judicial bypass clause in the measure combined with other state laws that allow doctors to act in an emergency protect a woman's health. The Supreme Court in January 2006 unanimously ruled that the lower courts should not have invalidated the entire measure and ordered lower courts to review the legislative intent regarding exceptions to the law for medical emergencies. DiClerico on Feb. 1 said he will continue to block enforcement of the law while the Legislature considers a measure that would repeal it (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 2/12). According to the Union Leader, the House last week defeated two amendments that would have changed the parental notification law to address the Supreme Court's concerns (Fahey, Manchester Union Leader, 3/8). The repeal still must be approved by the Senate, and Rep. Edmond Gionet (R) last week asked for the bill to be reconsidered in the House. Gov. John Lynch (D) has said he would sign the repeal (Manchester Union Leader, 3/11). Opponents of the repeal say it is unconstitutional, denies parental rights and responsibilities, and endangers minors (Dornin, Golden Dome News/Fosters Daily Democrat, 3/8).

In flux. There has been a lot of stirrings in the legislature, but last I heard (as a NH native) there was nothing 100% legal. Not yet. Such is the wonder of red tape and bureaucracy.

in ne hampshire14-16 years old can go to a clinic and get an abortion butto tere doctor they have to havea parent