Judicial Bypass Resources

This post is copied from the wonderful Reproductive Rights Blog in an effort to circulate it as widely as possible, but that blog deserves all the credit for collecting and initially publishing this information, which after a bit of spot checking appears spot on. If readers have additions or corrections, please let me know, and I’ll inform the Reproductive Rights Blog as well:
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First, if you’re a minor, you are legally entitled to make a decision about abortion on your own. If you’re mature. Many states have laws requiring minors to get the permission of one or both parents before they have an abortion (parental consent laws) or notify their parents (parental notification laws). A judicial bypass is a Constitutionally mandated alternative, where you go in front of a judge, and tell him/her why you want an abortion, and s/he will determine if you’re mature enough to make that decision. This is basically how it works. I don’t understand how you could be too immature to make a decision about abortion but mature enough to have a child, but that’s my personal confusion.

Here’s what I got so far. First, I think you can always call NAF or your local abortion clinic or the 800 number for Planned Parenthood (PP). Those seem like really solid places to start. I’ve posted what I can find, but please feel free to add, or share your experiences, or correct anything.

AL: Call the clinic
AZ: Call the clinic, then go down to the courthouse, fill out a form, have hearing (see PP)
CO: forms online, call PP
DE: only applies to under 16, call NAF
FL: PATH has some resources; you can call them at (877) FLA-PATH. You have the right to a free attorney if you need one, says PRCH (pdf)
GA: Can’t find much, call the counseling line at 1-800-264-7154
IN: Call the Indiana ACLU at 317-635-4059 ext. 224; the University has a lot of good information, and I bet they have access to more resources
IA: Call NAF
KS: Can’t find anything, but you need one
KY: Try the Kentucky ACLU (502-581-1181)
LA: Try the local PP’s. Baton Rouge at (225) 387-1167, New Orleans at (504) 897-9200
ME: Can’t find anything. Try PP, your clinic, or NAF
MA: PRCH (pdf) says to call 1-800-682-9218
MI: PP has some instructions. First step, call the circuit court in your county & tell them you want information on judicial bypass
MN: This has the names and numbers of people to contact (bottom right)
MS: “If a minor cannot tell her parents, she can go to Chancery Judge in home county or Hinds County to get judicial bypass. Minor will have to convince the judge that she is mature enough and well informed enough to have the abortion without parents’ knowledge.” (a clinic)
MO: No clue, call NAF
NE: Forms are supposed to be available in any courthouse, but I can’t find out where those courthouses are.
NC: The ACLU says you start by filing a petition with the District Court. Contact the ACLU, NAF, or PP.
ND: Can’t find much, call the local PP, national PP, NAF, or your clinic
OH: Call your clinic. You need to go to the clerk of courts for the juvenile court in your county.
PA: call here
RI: Call PPRI at (401) 421-9620 9health center)
SC: Call PP; the local PP might be able to get you a free attorney. Or call your clinic. Here is one of the forms (.doc)
SD: Same PP info as for ND and MN; call NAF, local clinic, or PP.
TN: Try your court’s clerk, but also try PP, NAF, or your clinic b/c the clerks a) might not know or b) might not be super supportive
TX: 1-866-www-jane or 1-866-999-5263
UT: Can’t find anything. Call NAF or PP or your clinic.
VA: Call PP at 1-800-230-PLAN or call your clinic. You could probably call the juvenile court in your county too.
WV: Get a letter from a doc who is not at your clinic or get judicial bypass. Call the clinic for details.
WI: An adult family member over 25 (.pdf) can give consent (sister, aunt, grandparent, etc.); the blank order form itself is here (.doc), so it seems you have to go to the Circuit Court in your county. The petition is here (.pdf), by the way.
WY: Can’t find much, try PP online or at (303) 321-7526

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Update: a commenter recommends, “For a personal account from a social worker who helps teenage girls through the judicial bypass process, read ‘Jane Does’ Choice’.”