The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected a lower-court ruling that struck down a New Hampshire abortion law that required parental notification for abortion candidates under age 18.
Wednesday's ruling was unanimous. Retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor wrote in her opinion that the appeals court that struck down the entire state law had acted too broadly. She said the lower court should narrow its decision, banning only parts of the law that are unconstitutional.
The law requires the parents of girls under the age of 18 to be informed of the abortion decision at least 48 hours before the abortion takes place. The lower court had declared the law unconstitutional, because it makes an exception for life-threatening medical emergencies, but not for those that endanger only the patient's health, not her life.
Wednesday's ruling did not deal with the more fundamental question as to whether such abortion restrictions place an undue burden on women.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.