California Voters Protects Teens' Health and Safety by Rejecting Dangerous Proposition

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is pleased that once again California voters put teen health and safety first and rejected Proposition 4. The measure, which would have forced teens to notify their parents before terminating a pregnancy, and which was funded by anti-choice ultraconservatives, was voted down for the third time in four years.

"Parents rightfully want to be involved in their teenagers' lives," said PPFA President Cecile Richards. "Planned Parenthood encourages this open and honest communication and most parents are involved when their teens are faced with an unintended pregnancy. But in the real world, parental notification laws don't work. In some cases they deter teens from seeking health care from licensed providers and in other cases they put teens at risk for abuse at the hands of their parents. No law can mandate family communication, and the priority must be to ensure that teens have access to safe, quality medical care without delay."

Planned Parenthood will continue to work to protect teens' health and safety by providing and advocating for access to affordable, high-quality health care, including family planning services, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, and comprehensive sex education and information so teens can make responsible decisions.

Voters in California have made it clear that they are in favor of these commonsense solutions and want to put the health and safety of teens first, above ideology and politics.