SECTION 1. Chapter 112 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:
Section 12S. (a)Upon petition or motion for judicial consent to abortion, pursuant to Section 12R, a judge of the Superior Court Department of the Trial Court, in assessing the minor’s maturity, shall consider, among other factors, whether or not the minor: has clear and realistic goals; exhibits perseverance in achieving goals; exercises self-control over her behavior, emotions, and anger; respects other people’s opinions or beliefs; is able to accept what she cannot change; expresses gratitude for what she has; is able to admit to being wrong; has self-confidence; tends to be satisfied with life; avoids envying and criticizing others; is willing to sacrifice to benefit someone else without complaint; assumes responsibility for her own mistakes or failures; is generous in doing good works; seeks information before taking action.
(b) Upon completion of this assessment, the judge shall make a written record of the findings which support a determination of the minor’s maturity or immaturity, as appropriate.
(c) The judge shall maintain an annual written record of the number of petitions or motions for judicial consent to abortion pursuant to Section 12R presented to the judge and shall indicate how many are granted or denied and shall include the age of the minor presenting each petition or motion. The judge shall provide an annual report of same to the Commissioner of Public Health, who shall prepare statistical tables showing the frequency with which petitions or motions for judicial consent to abortion pursuant to Section 12R are filed, granted, and denied and include the age of the minors who filed said petitions and motions. The Commissioner of Public Health shall make an annual report thereof to the general court.
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The General Court provides this information as a public service and while we endeavor to keep the data accurate and current to the best of our ability, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.