Parental Notification is Back: After Two Failed Initiative Campaigns, Millionaire Backers File a Third Time

Coalition Predicts Californian Voters Will Reject This Threat to Teen Safety … Once Again

For the third time in four years the same two backers who placed parental notification on the ballot twice before….are back.

“Winemaker and former Republican legislator Don Sebastiani and conservative newspaper owner Jim Holman today submitted signatures to place an almost identical initiative that voters have rejected twice before on this November’s ballot,” said Kathy Kneer, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California.  “Voters will reject it once again because the public understands this initiative puts our most vulnerable teens at risk.”

“Of course we all want our daughters to come to us in this kind of a situation,” continued Kneer, “but, sadly, not all teens live in homes where parents are caring and understanding.  In 2005 and 2006 California voters rejected this initiative because they understood that if a scared, pregnant teen is forced to tell a family member or go to court, instead she may delay seeking proper medical care and counseling or may take drastic action – like self induced or back alley abortions, or worse.  This initiative is dangerous and must be defeated again.”  

Kneer continued, “And we have to question why this initiative is back for the third time. Why would two men spend more than $6.5 million on an initiative that voters already rejected? Well, we have a hint from a recent article in the San Diego Union Tribune. In that article campaign spokeswoman Katie Short, counsel to the Legal Life Defense Foundation, acknowledges that the measure is promoted by those who are solely dedicated to outlawing abortion.

A coalition of parents, doctors, nurses, health care providers, Planned Parenthood, the ACLU and hundreds of voters have already joined together to defeat this initiative one more time.  The opposition campaign will be run by Steve Smith of The Dewey Square Group and Maggie Linden of Ogilvy Public Relations.  The campaign hotline for all press inquiries is now active: (916) 804 -4456.  Any press inquiries should be directed to that number.