Decision expected in abortion row

A row in the US over a controversial and long-delayed law forcing doctors to notify parents when...

A row in the US over a controversial and long-delayed law forcing doctors to notify parents when a minor seeks an abortion could finally be resolved at the end of the month.

The news comes after an Illinois judge said he would make a final decision on the issue on March 29.

The law, first introduced in 1995, was delayed by court battles and has never been enforced.

An end to the legal wrangling seemed imminent in November when the state's medical disciplinary board passed the legislation for implementation. But the decision was thwarted by a temporary restraining order following a legal challenge from the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, which argued the law violated the right to privacy and due process protected under the state's constitution.

But assistant attorney general Thomas Loppolo said on Monday that abortion should be subject to the same rules as all medical procedures, the majority of which require parental consent to be carried out on minors.

"There's a reason why 44 states have these laws," said Loppolo. "The courts have said repeatedly parents have a right to be involved in this decision."

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