Planned Parenthood v. Farmer

The opinion of the Court was delivered by

PORITZ, C.J.

In this appeal plaintiffs challenge a state statute that conditions a minor’s right to obtain an abortion on parental notification unless a judicial waiver is obtained, but imposes no corresponding limitation on a minor who seeks “medical and surgical care [otherwise] related to her pregnancy or her child.” N.J.S.A. 9:17A-1; §§ 1.2 et seq. The State responds that its substantial interests in “protecting” immature minors, “in fostering the family,” and in preserving “the rights of parents to rear their children” justify that differential…