I urge you to oppose S. 661, a bill that should be called the "Teen Endangerment Act." It would allow for federal prosecution of anyone - including a friend, sister or aunt - who transports a minor across state lines for an abortion, unless the young woman has already met the obligation of her state's parental involvement law. This legislation would put young women who are already facing the crisis of an unintended pregnancy in the position of having to travel alone or perform dangerous and desperate acts because of a lack of safe and legal alternatives. Family communication simply cannot be legislated. S. 661 will not increase parental involvement in the abortion decisions of young women. While most young women already choose to involve a parent in this important decision, others have very good reasons for choosing not to involve their parents. Past experience shows us that forcing a young woman to notify an abusive parent of a pregnancy can have dangerous, and even fatal, consequences. Please protect the well-being of young women in crisis, and do not criminalize the actions of caring adults concerned with the young woman's best interests. I look forward to hearing your thoughts regarding this.

Sincerely,


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