A big change is coming to Nevada this spring. A judge ruled that parents must be told when their teenage daughters seek an abortion. This law has been on the books since 1985 but was never enforced. Now that’s about to change.
What Just Happened?
On Monday, March 31, 2025, a federal court lifted a 34-year-old order (issued in 1991) that had blocked Nevada’s parental notification law. Starting April 30, parents will have to be told before their minor children can get an abortion.
District Attorneys Stephen Rye and Garrit Pruyt led the fight to enforce this law. Nevada Right to Life backed their efforts. The court agreed with them that since the Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision overruled Roe v. Wade, the old block on the law should be removed.
“The district court’s order marks a major victory for all Nevadans and for constitutional governance,” says James Bopp Jr., a lawyer who worked on the case. “This common-sense law is vital to protecting both minors who have been targeted by predators and the parents of those minors.”
Why This Matters to Families
This ruling puts parents back in the picture when important decisions affect their children. For many conservatives, family rights are a core value. Parents have the right and duty to guide their children, especially through tough choices.
Melissa Taylor Clement, who runs Nevada Right to Life, puts it bluntly:
“For 40 years, young girls have been exploited in secrecy, their suffering ignored while those in power turned a blind eye. Today, that silence is broken.”
A win for the safety of our girls and their parents! 40 years ago, the Nevada Legislature OVERWHELMINGLY passed a commonsense law requiring one parent notification (with a judicial bypass) prior to an underage girl getting an abortion. Planned Parenthood sued to stop its… pic.twitter.com/XWeehVID5q
— melissa taylor clement (@ehmtee) April 1, 2025
The law includes common-sense exceptions. If a doctor believes the abortion is immediately needed for health reasons, parental notice isn’t required. The same goes if the minor is married or can prove to a court that she’s mature enough to make the decision.
What Critics Are Saying
Planned Parenthood fought against enforcing this law. They argued that it’s too vague and violates minors’ rights to due process and equal protection.
Opponents worry that forcing teens to involve parents could put some young women in dangerous situations. They argue that most teens already involve parents, and those who don’t often have good reasons. Despite the Dobbs decision, they believe the law should still be blocked on other grounds.
U.S. District Court Judge Anne Traum, an appointee of President Joe Biden, wrote in her decision:
“Whether the statute is unconstitutional for another reason has not been fully litigated nor is that question before the Court in this motion.”
Looking Ahead
Nevada allows abortions until 24 weeks, with exceptions for the mother’s life or health. This parental notification rule doesn’t change that timeline.
The judge left open the possibility for abortion rights groups to challenge the law before it takes effect on April 30. This fight might not be over yet.
Nevada is joining 36 other states that require some form of parental involvement in a minor’s abortion decision. Some states only require notice, like Nevada will, while others require parents to actually give permission.
What Conservatives Can Do
If you support parental rights, here are some ways to make your voice heard:
Stay informed about possible legal challenges before April 30. The courts could still block this law if new arguments convince them.
Contact your state representatives to show your support for the parental notification law. Let them know you believe parents should be involved in these important decisions.
Talk with your own children about your family values. The best protection for teens comes from open communication with parents they trust.
This law is part of a bigger conversation about family rights versus government control. For many conservatives, it represents a step toward restoring the proper balance.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
