Definition of a Minor: In Maryland, a minor is anyone under the age of 18 years who is not married or the parent of a child.

Maryland’s Parental Notification for Abortion Law (Article 20-103 of the Maryland Annotated Code)

Maryland law requires that one parent or guardian be notified before a minor has an abortion. The parent/guardian does not need to consent (agree) with the minor’s choice, but does need to know the minor is planning to have an abortion. Maryland’s parental notification law says specifically that no notification is required if, in the judgment of the doctor performing the abortion:

• The minor is mature and capable of giving her informed consent to the procedure, OR
• Notification would not be in the minor’s best interest, OR
• Notice may lead to physical or emotional abuse of the minor, OR
• The minor patient does not live with her parent or guardian, OR
• A reasonable effort to give notice has been unsuccessful.

Scientific research done by the Alan Guttmacher Institute , shows that the vast majority of adolescents (81%, according to the AGI study) already involve a parent or other adult in the abortion decision.

The remaining young people usually do not turn to their parent because of difficult circumstances – they may not live with the parent, or they may be legitimately concerned about abuse or being thrown out of their homes.

Maryland law provides the above exclusions to protect these young people.