§ 15-11-112 - Notice of abortion on unemancipated minor; hearing

O.C.G.A. 15-11-112 (2010)
15-11-112. Notice of abortion on unemancipated minor; hearing


(a) No physician or other person shall perform an abortion upon an unemancipated minor under the age of 18 years unless:
(1)(A) The minor seeking an abortion shall be accompanied by a parent or guardian who shall show proper identification and state that the parent or guardian is the lawful parent or guardian of the minor and that the parent or guardian has been notified that an abortion is to be performed on the minor;

(B) The physician or the physician's qualified agent gives at least 24 hours' actual notice, in person or by telephone, to a parent or guardian of the pending abortion and the name and address of the place where the abortion is to be performed; provided, however, that, if the person so notified indicates that he or she has been previously informed that the minor was seeking an abortion or if the person so notified has not been previously informed and he or she clearly expresses that he or she does not wish to consult with the minor, then in either event the abortion may proceed in accordance with Chapter 9A of Title 31; or

(C) The physician or a physician's qualified agent gives written notice of the pending abortion and the address of the place where the abortion is to be performed, sent by certified mail, return receipt requested with delivery confirmation, addressed to a parent or guardian at the usual place of abode of the parent or guardian. Unless proof of delivery is otherwise sooner established, such notice shall be deemed delivered 48 hours after mailing. The time of mailing shall be recorded by the physician or agent in the minor's file. The abortion may be performed 24 hours after the delivery of the notice; provided, however, that, if the person so notified certifies in writing that he or she has been previously informed that the minor was seeking an abortion or if the person so notified has not been previously informed and he or she certifies in writing that he or she does not wish to consult with the minor, then in either event the abortion may proceed in accordance with Chapter 9A of Title 31; and

(2) The minor signs a consent form stating that she consents, freely and without coercion, to the abortion.

(b) If the unemancipated minor or the physician or a physician's qualified agent, as the case may be, elects not to comply with any one of the requirements of subparagraph (a)(1)(A), (a)(1)(B), or (a)(1)(C) of this Code section, or if the parent or legal guardian of the minor cannot be located, the minor may petition, on the minor's own behalf or by next friend, any juvenile court in the state for a waiver of such requirement pursuant to the procedures provided for in Code Section 15-11-114. The juvenile court shall assist the minor or next friend in preparing the petition and notices required pursuant to this Code section. Venue shall be lawful in any county, notwithstanding Code Section 15-11-29.

(c) No abortion shall be performed unless the requirements of subparagraph (a)(1)(A), (a)(1)(B), or (a)(1)(C) of this Code section have been met or the minor has obtained a court order waiving such requirements.