[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 126 (Monday, September 21, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S10656]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CHILD CUSTODY PROTECTION ACT

  Mr. GRAMS. Madam President, I rise today in support of the Child 
Custody Protection Act. Nearly half the States have adopted laws which 
require some kind of parental involvement in their minor daughter's 
decision to have an abortion. Increasingly, these laws are being 
undermined by adults who take a pregnant girl across State lines for a 
secret abortion.
  The Child Custody Protection Act will make it a Federal offense for 
someone, other than the minor girl's parent, to transport her knowingly 
across State lines in order to usurp her home State's abortion parental 
notification or consent laws. It does not impose any new parental 
notification or consent requirements on any State. It merely prevents 
the undermining of parental involvement laws in States that have them.
  The Child Custody Protection Act is a parental rights bill. It 
prevents the circumvention of State laws, a policy all of us should 
support. It protects our daughters against manipulation and abuse. I 
urge the support of this legislation by all of my colleagues.

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