Montana Court Strikes Down Parental Abortion Consent Law

The Montana Supreme Court unanimously struck down the Parental Consent for Abortion Act of 2013, ruling that it violated minors' fundamental right to privacy and control over their reproductive decisions as guaranteed by the state constitution. Justice Laurie McKinnon, writing for the court, emphasized that minors have the same rights to privacy and equal protection as adults. The court found that the state failed to demonstrate a compelling interest to justify the law, which singled out minors seeking abortions. Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen criticized the ruling as out-of-touch, advocating for parental involvement in such decisions. The decision follows a decade-long legal battle and reaffirms the state’s strong constitutional protections for individual privacy.