IMPACT OF THE MINNESOTA PARENTAL NOTIFICATION LAW ON ABORTION AND BIRTH

Background. The impact of the Minnesota Parental Notification Law on abortion and birth was examined. Methods. Using linear models, outcome parameters were compared before and after enactment of the law. Time by age group interactions also were examined. Results. The pre-enactment to post-enactment change in the Minnesota abortion rate reflected a greater decline for minors (less-than-or-equal-to 17 years old) than for 18-19 year-olds (who were not under the law). An increase in abortion rate occurred for women ages 20-44. The law appeared to have had no impact on birth rate in minors. Following the enactment of the law, the rate of early abortions (less-than-or-equal-to 12 weeks) declined among minors more than the rate of late abortions (> 12 weeks). This resulted in a pre-enactment to post-enactment increase in the ratio of late-to-early abortions among minors. Conclusions. These data suggest that parental notification facilitated pregnancy avoidance in 15-17 year-old Minnesota women. Abortion rates declined unexpectedly while birth rates continued to decline in accordance with a long-term trend.