Amendments are being proposed to rules and forms concerning judicial consent to an abortion by a minor without notification of a parent, guardian, or custodian. The changes will bring the rules in line with recent legislative changes. The Ohio Supreme Court will accept public comment on the rules and forms until April 2.

Amendments to the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio cover Sup.R. 23-25 and Forms 23-A through 25-A.

Am. H.B. 63 of the 129th General Assembly requires courts to find by “clear and convincing evidence” whether the minor is sufficiently mature and well enough informed to decide intelligently whether to have an abortion and whether the abortion is in the best interests of the minor. This new evidentiary standard will be added to Sup.R. 23.1, Form 23.1-A, and Form 23.1-B.

Additionally, Sub. H.B. 247 of the 129th General Assembly eliminates the juvenile’s ability to file the petition or application for an abortion in the juvenile court in the county where the abortion will be performed. This option will be deleted from the instructions for and Form 23-A, the instructions for and Form 23.1-A, and the instructions for Forms 24-A and 24-B.

View the complete language of the proposed rules and forms.

Comments should be submitted in writing to:

John VanNorman, Policy and Research Counsel
Ohio Supreme Court
65 South Front Street, Seventh Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
or
john.vannorman@sc.ohio.gov

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