Dianne Feinstein: “I rise today to oppose the Child Custody Protection Act, which imposes criminal penalties on those who help transport a…”

“I rise today to oppose the Child Custody Protection Act, which imposes criminal penalties on those who help transport a minor across State lines to obtain an abortion if she does not first meet the parental involvement requirements of her home State. My primary concern with this legislation is that it unnecessarily puts minors' health and well-being in danger. In addition, the language is so broadly written that it has the effect of harshly punishing those adult family members and loved ones who try to help a young woman in a time of need. In addition to criminalizing the actions intended to assist a young woman with a difficult decision, this bill would create a new civil action where parents can file a lawsuit against the individual assisting the minor this means relatives, teachers, other trusted adults as well as potentially the doctor, nurse or clinic staff all could face civil court action. As a mother and a grandmother, I would argue that, in a perfect world, young women and their parents should communicate openly about all major decisions, including whether to terminate a pregnancy. And, in fact, many young women do involve a parent in these decisions. However, the reality is that not all young women live in a household where they can turn to their parents. Some young women face physical, sexual or emotional abuse from their parents; some families do not have open, supporting relationships.…”