In a significant legal development on April 30, 2025, a federal judge ruled that Nevada can enforce a long-dormant 1985 law mandating parental notification before a minor undergoes an abortion. This decision comes after years of legal uncertainty surrounding the law, which had been previously blocked but was reinstated following the reversal of Roe v. Wade.
The law, which was originally passed in 1985 but never enforced due to ongoing legal challenges, now requires that a parent or guardian be notified if a minor seeks an abortion. The ruling to reinstate the law follows the United States Supreme Court’s landmark decision in 2022, which overturned Roe v. Wade, thereby returning the authority to regulate abortion laws to individual states.
For nearly four decades, the law was suspended while courts deliberated its constitutionality. With the Supreme Court’s decision to eliminate the federal right to abortion, the path was cleared for states to reimpose or introduce new abortion-related regulations. Nevada’s parental notification law is one of the first to be enforced in the state after the reversal of Roe v. Wade, and it carries significant implications for minors seeking reproductive healthcare.
The decision has sparked both support and opposition across the state. Proponents of the law argue that it is a necessary step in protecting parental rights and ensuring that minors have appropriate guidance when making such a serious decision. They assert that parents should be involved in the medical decisions of their children, especially when it concerns something as impactful as an abortion.
On the other hand, opponents of the law express concerns about its potential impact on young people who may not have a supportive family environment or fear retaliation from parents or guardians. Advocates for reproductive rights argue that this requirement could create unnecessary barriers for minors, especially those in situations where notifying a parent might put them in danger or exacerbate an already challenging personal situation.
The ruling is part of a broader trend across the country, with several states moving to enforce pre-existing or newly introduced abortion restrictions after the fall of Roe v. Wade. Nevada’s decision is especially noteworthy, as the state has traditionally been viewed as more progressive on reproductive rights. However, the changing legal landscape in the wake of Roe’s reversal has led to a reevaluation of long-standing legal frameworks, including the parental notification law.
Legal experts anticipate that further challenges to the law could arise in the coming months as advocacy groups and individuals continue to navigate the evolving regulatory environment surrounding abortion rights. The ruling has set the stage for continued debates over parental involvement in minors’ healthcare decisions, as well as the broader implications for reproductive rights in Nevada and beyond.