By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser City Hall Writer
Gov. Ben Cayetano said he backs a move gaining support in the Legislature to require physicians to notify parents before performing abortions on minors.
Cayetano said he would stop short of requiring parental consent and that this is consistent with the stance he had while serving as a lawmaker.
"I think that notification is appropriate. I remain open to arguments that weigh against that." He said he struggled with the decision as a legislator and as a parent. "Unless somebody can show me new evidence that requiring parental consent is important, I have to go by the position I took when I was in the Legislature," he said.
Cayetano was less certain of his position on a proposal to raise the age of consent for juveniles from 14 to 16.
"Raising the age of consent, that requires a great deal of discussion," he said. Cayetano said he appreciates the effort to protect children, but has questions about the best way to proceed.
The Advertiser surveyed state lawmakers recently on various issues and found strong support for raising the age of consent. In the 51-member state House, 41 favored the move, three said no and the others didn’t respond. In the 25-member Senate, 15 lawmakers said yes, two said no and the others didn’t respond.
Backers said the bill would help to protect young people.
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