Information on the "Child Custody Protection Act" (CCPA) and Teen Endangerment (SB 34) legislation.

The "Child Custody Protection Act" (CCPA) would prohibit anyone other than a parent, including a grandparent, aunt, adult sibling, or religious counselor, from accompanying a young woman across state lines for an abortion without complying with the home state's parental involvement law. Most young women involve one or both parents when considering abortion; of those that do not, over half involve an adult, including a step-parent or adult relative. By criminalizing adults who help young women unable to involve their parents, the CCPA could endanger young women's lives and health by isolating them from adult assistance, supervision or guidance.

This federal Act is similar to SB 34, the Teen Endangerment Act, introduced in Missouri again during the 2005 legislative session. We were successful in defeating this bill in Missouri last session, but expect quite a challenge on this legislation this session.