Bellotti v. Baird

Bellotti v. Baird (1979) was a Supreme Court case about teenagers seeking parental consent for an abortion. The Court ruled that minors have a constitutional right to decide about abortion, but states can require parental involvement if it’s done in a way that protects the teen’s privacy and autonomy. Specifically, mandatory parental consent or notification laws must include a way for minors to access abortions without parental approval in special circumstances. The case balancing teens' rights and state interests established that requiring some parental involvement is acceptable, but it must respect the minor's individual circumstances and rights.