In the third major win for Nevada parents this year, a Clark County judge just handed down a ruling that keeps moms and dads in the driver’s seat when it comes to life-changing medical decisions for their children.
Nevada first passed the parental notification law in 1985. For decades, it gathered dust.
Why? Because almost immediately, Planned Parenthood swooped in and filed suit to stop it.
But when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Nevada Right to Life seized the moment.
With the help of two Nevada district attorneys who requested a second look and one of the nation’s top Supreme Court advocates, the courts were asked to reconsider the permanent injunction blocking Nevada’s parental notification law.
Earlier this year, both a Biden-appointed federal judge and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals sided with parents, opening the door for enforcement.
Planned Parenthood made one last desperate attempt in state court to shut parents out—but again, their arguments failed.
On Friday, Judge Erika Mendoza denied Planned Parenthood’s request to block Nevada’s parental notification law, which requires doctors to inform parents if a minor seeks an abortion.
This decision is more than a legal technicality. It’s about common sense, family values, and protecting children from being pressured into irreversible choices without the guidance of the people who love them most—their parents.
What the Law Says
The law is straightforward: doctors cannot perform an abortion on an unmarried girl under 18 unless her parents or guardians are notified first.
There’s a built-in safeguard called a judicial bypass. If a girl feels she can’t safely tell her parents, she can go to a judge for permission.
This isn’t about trapping anyone. It’s about making sure something as serious as abortion isn’t treated more casually than a field trip permission slip.
Planned Parenthood’s Challenge
Planned Parenthood claimed the law was “vague,” “unfair,” and even “unconstitutional.”
They argued that doctors might face penalties if they misstep, and that court involvement could cause delays.
But Judge Mendoza wasn’t buying it. She ruled that Planned Parenthood failed to prove their case and that their arguments simply didn’t hold water.
Translation: this law is reasonable, and it stays.
Why This Matters
This ruling is a victory for parents and families across Nevada.
Think about it: parents already have to approve field trips, sports participation, piercings, and even over the counter medications, like Tylenol.
Why should abortion—a life-altering medical procedure—be treated any differently?
The Bigger Picture
Parental rights are under fire all across the country.
From schools keeping secrets about gender transitions to libraries pushing radical content, parents are being shoved out of their rightful role.
Nevada’s law pushes back.
And here’s the kicker: parental notification isn’t a fringe idea. It’s the mainstream view.
A Gallup survey found that nearly 70% of adults support requiring parental involvement before a minor can get an abortion.
That includes Republicans, Democrats, and Independents.
Critics Push Back
Opponents argue that some teens might face abuse if forced to tell their parents. That’s exactly why the judicial bypass exists.
But critics don’t like it, because it still admits the obvious: parents should have a role in their children’s lives.
At its heart, the question is simple: Who should guide children through life’s biggest decisions—anonymous clinic staff, or the parents who love and protect them?
Nevada Leads the Way
This ruling proves Nevada families aren’t powerless. Parents are not the problem—they’re the solution.
Judge Mendoza’s decision doesn’t just uphold an old law. It restores balance in a culture too eager to cut parents out of the picture.
For conservatives, it’s a big win. For Nevada families, it’s common sense finally prevailing.
But One Big Threat Remains
As encouraging as this victory is, it could all be undone by Question 6, the radical abortion amendment on November’s ballot.
If it passes, it would wipe out parental notification and enshrine abortion-on-demand in Nevada’s constitution—leaving parents powerless and Planned Parenthood unchecked.
In other words, today’s win could vanish tomorrow unless Nevadans reject Question 6 and stand firm for families, children, and parental rights.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
