Sign up for the PEP Email List



 
  Home   »  Get the Facts  »  Important Supreme Court Cases


Bellotti v. Baird


William Baird (founder and director of Parents Aid Society, Inc.), v Francis Bellotti (MA State Attorney General) - 1979

Baird challenged a statute requiring women under 18 to obtain parental or judicial consent before having an abortion.

The Court found the law unconstitutional because it gave either a parent or a judge absolute power over a minor's abortion decision � no matter how mature she was or that an abortion might be in her best interests. Bellotti v. Baird established that all minors must have the opportunity to gain a judge�s approval to have an abortion, without first seeking the consent of their parents, and that these court proceedings must be confidential and speedy.
Share on Facebook

 
Get the Facts

Reproductive Justice Issues
Important Supreme Court Cases
Publications
PEP Ad Campaigns
Essay Help