
1991
The Michigan Court of Appeals in February strikes down a ban on state-funded abortions for the poor. The Court states that prohibiting Medicaid-funded abortions violates women's rights to privacy and equal protection under the state Constitution and that the Michigan Constitution protects the right to have an abortion. The suit was brought by the ACLU. However, the ban continues while the suit is appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court.
On February 26, Planned Parenthood of Mid-Michigan, Planned Parenthood of South Central Michigan and others file a lawsuit in Kalamazoo Circuit Court challenging the constitutionality of the forced parental consent law. On March 29, the court denies the plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction.
On March 21, the forced parental consent law goes into effect. The law states that regardless of whether or not the minor is a Michigan resident, a person shall not perform an abortion on an unemancipated minor under the age of 18 years without first obtaining:
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the written consent of the minor and one of the parents/legal guardians; or
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a copy of a judicial waiver of parental consent granted by a probate judge in the county where the minor “is found,” which may include her resident county or county in which the provider is located; or
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a physician's certification of an emergency in which continuation of the pregnancy would create an immediate threat and grave risk to the life of the minor.
The law also states that a person who intentionally performs an abortion in violation of this act is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to civil action. A requirement was added for school districts to provide information on the act to students in grades six through 12 (amended July 18.)
On May 19, SB 141 (S-2) is approved by the Michigan Senate. It requires government mandated informed consent, a 24-hour waiting period, and medically accurate photographs with descriptions of a fetus at the gestational age of the patient's.
On July 18, Public Act 80 of 1991 is signed into law. It amends the forced parental consent law by deleting a requirement for school districts to provide information on the act to students in grades 6-12.
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
* Italics indicate federal actions which affect Michigan law
NOTE: Green text indicate the effective date of Michigan Public Acts
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