Supreme Court Rejects Bid to Reinstate Parental Consent Law for Abortions in Montana

The Supreme Court declined to hear a case regarding a Montana law that required minors to have parental consent for abortion, despite the state's constitutional protection of abortion rights. The law, passed in 2013 but never enforced, was struck down by the Montana Supreme Court last year. State officials argued that the decision infringed on parents' rights to be involved in their children's medical decisions.

Planned Parenthood supported the Montana Supreme Court's ruling, stating that it balanced parental and minor's rights in a state where abortion rights are safeguarded. The law would have mandated notarized, written consent for minors seeking abortion, with provisions for judicial bypass and parental notification requirements.

While over two dozen states have laws requiring parental consent for minors' abortions, some have been blocked in court. The case was not rejected based on the state's argument, according to Justices Alito and Thomas, but on legal technicalities.