The Ohio Supreme Court has adopted amendments to rules and forms concerning judicial consent to an abortion by a minor without notification of a parent, guardian, or custodian. The changes bring the rules in line with recent legislative changes.

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 required 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 interest of the minor. This new evidentiary standard was 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 eliminated 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 was 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.

The complete language of the amended rules and forms, which take effect January 1, 2015, is available on the court’s website.

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