Saxby Chambliss: “I support S. 403, the Child Custody Protection Act. This bill is a commonsense measure that says simply that families…”

“I support S. 403, the Child Custody Protection Act. This bill is a commonsense measure that says simply that families, parents, and children are important in America and that we will respect them and protect them. The bill also demonstrates the importance of respecting our citizens who have spoken in State after State by the adoption of parental notification and parental consent requirements before a minor child can be subjected to invasive medical procedures with both physical and emotional consequences. The Child Custody Protection Act would make it a Federal misdemeanor to transport a minor across State lines to obtain an abortion, in order to circumvent a home State law requiring notification of one or both parents prior to an abortion. This bill does not permit the prosecution of the child or his parents, but it does permit the prosecution of outside third parties who would interfere with the parent-child relationship in order to further a political or ideological agenda. In addition to criminal penalties, the bill allows any parent who suffers harm from a violation of this act may seek and obtain an appropriate civil remedy. At a time when children in public schools cannot obtain so much as an aspirin from a school nurse without parental consent, America has overwhelmingly insisted that before permitting minors to undergo a major medical procedure, such as an abortion, their parents should consent or at the very least, be notified.…”