HB347

This bill does not take into account some of the harsh realities of a minor female's life and presumes that she has a healthy and open relationship with her parents. What if she lives in a physically and verbally abusive household? Will she be subjected to more abuse and possibly thrown out of her house because of the pregnancy? What is she has been raped and is afraid to tell her parents because their religious and/or cultural beliefs state that she brought this on herself? What if she has been a victim of incest and raped by her father, stepfather, cousin, uncle, brother, or stepbrother? Each of those aforementioned scenarios prevent a girl from asking permission for an abortion or having any family member take her for one. Furthermore, the language in the bill uses the words trafficking and recruitment as if the girl is being used for sexual purposes. These are just some of the many problems with this bill and I believe it opens the door to further restrictions on all women and those who help them (just like Texas). I urge the committee to widen their view on the real lives of other people and take it into account when making a decision about their vote.