A. If a pregnant unemancipated minor elects not to allow the request for written informed consent of her parent, any judge of a district court in the county in which the pregnant unemancipated minor resides shall, upon petition or motion, and after an appropriate hearing, authorize a physician to perform the abortion if the judge determines, by clear and convincing evidence, that the pregnant unemancipated minor is mature and capable of giving informed consent to the proposed abortion based upon her experience level, perspective, and judgment. If the judge determines that the pregnant unemancipated minor is not mature, or if the pregnant unemancipated minor does not claim to be mature, the judge shall determine, by clear and convincing evidence, whether the performance of an abortion upon her without written informed consent of her parent would be in her best interest and shall authorize a physician to perform the abortion without written informed consent if the judge concludes that the best interests of the pregnant unemancipated minor would be served thereby.

In assessing the experience level of the pregnant unemancipated minor, the court may consider, among other relevant factors, the age of the pregnant unemancipated minor and experiences working outside the home, living away from home, traveling on her own, handling personal finances, and making other significant decisions. In assessing the perspective of the pregnant unemancipated minor, the court may consider, among other relevant factors, what steps the pregnant unemancipated minor took to explore her options and the extent to which she considered and weighed the potential consequences of each option. In assessing the judgment of the pregnant unemancipated minor, the court may consider, among other relevant factors, the conduct of the pregnant unemancipated minor since learning of her pregnancy and her intellectual ability to understand her options and to make an informed decision. In assessing whether, by clear and convincing evidence, obtaining the written informed consent of the parent of the pregnant unemancipated minor is not in her best interest, a court may not consider the potential financial impact on the pregnant unemancipated minor or the family of the pregnant unemancipated minor if she does not have an abortion.

B. A pregnant unemancipated minor may participate in proceedings in the court on her own behalf, and the court may appoint a guardian ad litem for her. The court shall advise the pregnant unemancipated minor that she has a right to court-appointed counsel and, upon her request, shall provide her with counsel.

C. Proceedings in the court under this section shall be confidential and shall be given precedence over other pending matters so that the court may reach a decision promptly and without delay so as to serve the best interests of the pregnant unemancipated minor. A judge of the court who conducts proceedings under this section shall make, in writing, specific factual findings and legal conclusions supporting the decision and shall order a record of the evidence to be maintained, including the findings and conclusions of the court.

D. An expedited confidential appeal shall be available to any pregnant unemancipated minor for whom the court denies an order authorizing an abortion without written informed consent of one parent. An order authorizing an abortion without written informed consent of one parent shall not be subject to appeal. No filing fees shall be required of any pregnant unemancipated minor at either the trial or the appellate level. Access to the trial court for the purpose of a petition or motion, and access to the appellate courts for the purpose of making an appeal from the denial of same, shall be afforded a pregnant unemancipated minor twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week.

Added by Laws 2005, c. 200, § 13, emerg. eff. May 20, 2005. Amended by Laws 2006, c. 185, § 19, eff. Nov. 1, 2006; Laws 2007, c. 161, § 7, eff. Nov. 1, 2007; Laws 2013, c. 268, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2013; Laws 2013, c. 320, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2013.