Abortion foes say voters may trump Constitution

HELENA (AP) — Abortion foes seeking to expand the state's parental notification law say voter-backed laws can trump the Montana Constitution.

The debate played significantly in a Friday debate over plans to rewrite and expand a recently-passed ballot measure requiring minors under 16 years old to receive parental permission for an abortion.

House Bill 391 increases the age requiring consent to all minors under 18 years old.

It also requires both parent and teen to receive and sign a notification form about the dangers of the procedure written by the abortion foes, and makes other changes.

Opponents argued the measure violates the state's constitutional right to privacy.

But abortion foes say they don't believe the "will of the people" is subservient to the Constitution.