bellotti baird argued march decided july together hunerwadel baird et also appeal massachusetts statute governs type consent including parental consent required abortion may performed unmarried woman age appellees abortion counseling organization president medical director several unmarried women pregnant time brought class action appellant attorney general district attorneys claiming statute violates due process equal protection clauses fourteenth amendment temporary restraining order entered prior effective date statute thereafter district held statute unconstitutional creating parental veto performance abortions minor children applied even minors capable giving informed consent permanently enjoined operation denying implication appellants motion abstain deciding issue pending authoritative construction statute massachusetts judicial district decision massachusetts enacted statute dealing consent minors medical procedures abortion sterilization appellees raised additional claim impermissible distinction consent procedures applicable minors area abortion statute consent required statute regard medical procedures held district abstained deciding constitutional issue certified massachusetts judicial appropriate questions concerning meaning statute procedure imposes pp abstention appropriate unconstrued state statute susceptible construction state judiciary might avoid whole part necessity federal constitutional adjudication least materially change nature problem harrison naacp pp statute susceptible appellants interpretation prefers parental consultation consent permits minor capable giving informed consent obtain order allowing abortion without parental consultation permits even minor incapable giving informed consent obtain abortion order without parental consultation shown abortion best interests interpretation avoid substantially modify federal constitutional challenge statute pp regard claim impermissible discrimination due statute appropriate district also certify question concerning statute extent procedures differ procedures required statute pp blackmun delivered opinion unanimous stephen rosenfeld assistant attorney general massachusetts argued cause appellants brief francis bellotti attorney general pro se michael eby garrick cole assistant attorneys general brian riley argued cause pro hac vice appellant brief thomas mcmahon thomas russell roy lucas argued cause filed brief appellees cases justice blackmun delivered opinion litigation district district massachusetts enjoined operation certain provisions massachusetts statute govern type consent required abortion may performed unmarried woman age acting denied implication motion appellants abstain deciding issue pending authoritative construction statute judicial massachusetts hold abstained vacate judgment remand cases certification relevant issues state law judicial abstention pending decision tribunal august general massachusetts legislature governor veto enacted legislation entitled act protect unborn children maternal health within present constitutional limits act mass acts resolves amended mass laws registration certain professions occupations adding section provides mother less eighteen years age married consent mother parents required one mother parents refuse consent consent may obtained order judge superior good cause shown hearing deems necessary hearing require appointment guardian mother one parents died deserted family consent remaining parent sufficient parents died deserted family consent mother guardian person duties similar guardian person assumed care custody mother sufficient commissioner public health shall prescribe written form consent form shall signed proper person persons given physician performing abortion shall maintain permanent files nothing section shall construed abolishing limiting common law rights person persons relative consent performance abortion purposes civil action injunctive relief section twelve ii october one day prior effective date act plaintiffs appellees filed action district district massachusetts asserting jurisdiction claiming violates due process equal protection clauses fourteenth amendment sought injunctive declaratory relief requested empaneling pursuant october single district judge issued order temporarily restraining enforcement requirement accepting request record doc plaintiffs classes purported represent william baird citizen new york parents aid society massachusetts corporation baird president corporation director chief counselor center operates boston purpose providing inter alia abortion counseling services baird parents aid claim represent abortion centers administrators massachusetts regular recurring basis deal pregnant minors app mary moes ii iii iv four minors age pregnant time filing suit residing massachusetts alleged wished terminate pregnancy wish inform either parents moes claimed represent pregnant minors capable willing give informed consent abortion decline seek consent parents required app gerald zupnick physician licensed practice massachusetts medical director center operated parents aid claims represent physicians massachusetts without parental consent see minor patients seeking abortions ibid defendants action appellants hereinafter referred appellants attorney general massachusetts district attorneys counties commonwealth appellant hereinafter referred jane hunerwadel resident citizen massachusetts parent unmarried minor female childbearing age hunerwadel permitted district intervene defendant behalf others similarly situated app november appellants filed motion dismiss summary judgment arguing inter alia district abstain deciding issue case memorandum support motion appellants addition arguments urged particularly view provision susceptible construction state courts avoid modify alleged federal constitutional question record doc cited railroad pullman lake carriers assn macmullan proposition unconstrued state statute susceptible constitutional construction federal abstain deciding constitutional challenge statute definitive state construction obtained district held hearings motion preliminary injunction later merged trial merits received testimony various experts parties case including mary moe april district divided vote handed decision holding unconstitutional void supp order entered declaring portions chapter insofar make specific reference thereto void enjoining defendants enforcing app jurisdictional statement pp majority held inter alia appellees mary moe doctor zupnick parents aid standing challenge operation statute individually representatives proposed classes standing represent interests parents unmarried minor women childbearing age found substantial number females age capable forming valid consent viewed overall question whether state permitted restrain free exercise consent extent endeavored regard meaning majority made following comments statute purport require simply parents notified given opportunity communicate minor chosen physician others mention obvious fact persistence defendants intervenor arguing legislature properly enact statute whether us reason considering statute exclude capable forming intelligent consent applies minors statute provision calling minor consent recognizes least minors consent minor consent must supplemented every case either consent parents order statute purport simply provide check validity minor consent wisdom decision standpoint interests alone rather recognizes provides rights parents independent hence potentially variance personal interests dissent seemingly opinion reviewing superior judge consider interests minor find room statute limited interpretation parents must consulted given veto majority found instant situation unlike others parents interests often adverse minor specifically rejecting contrary result planned parenthood central missouri danforth supp ed mo see ante concluded even found parents may rights constitutional dimension child separate child find present area individual rights minor outweigh rights parents must protected important however dissent view statute differed markedly interpretation adopted majority dissent stated find therefore conceivable constitutional objection legislation providing case pregnant minor additional condition designed make certain receive parental judicial guidance counselling abortion requirement consent parents ensures parents provide counselling guidance according best judgment statute expressly provides parents refusal consent final statute expressly gives state courts right make final determination state courts find minor mature enough give informed consent abortion adequately informed nature abortion probable consequences must assume courts enter necessary order permitting exercise constitutional right abortion majority speculate concerning possible interpretations good cause shown language also doubt whether statute requires consent one parents construction statute matter state law majority believe constitutional infirmities arise interpretation statute majority certify questions state law judicial massachusetts pursuant rule order receive definitive interpretation statute iii appellants attack district majority decision number grounds argue inter alia way properly preserves primacy family unit reinforcing role parents fundamental decisions affecting family members district erred failing join moe parents abused discretion failing appoint guardian ad litem erred finding statute facially invalid capable construction withstand constitutional analysis interpretation placed statute appellants importance merits attention officials charged enforcement statute appellants assert first statute parental consent may refused basis concerns exclusively parent indeed competing parental right consists exclusively right assess independently minor child serve child best interest operation parents actual deliberation must range pregnant adult making abortion decision brief appellants superior review ensure parental objection based upon considerations operate bar minor abortion see also brief second appellants argue last paragraph preserves mature minor rule massachusetts child determined capable giving informed consent allowed appellants argue rule pregnant minor file complaint superior seeking authorization abortion mportantly complaint filed regardless whether parents consulted withheld consent brief appellants emphasis original tr oral arg appellants assert procedure employed structured speedy nonburdensome ensure anonymity brief appellants brief tr oral arg finally appellants argue judge superior may permit abortion without parental consent minor incapable rendering informed consent provided good cause shown brief appellants good cause includes showing abortion minor best interests picture thus painted respective appellants statute prefers parental consultation consent permits mature minor capable giving informed consent obtain without undue burden order permitting abortion without parental consultation permits even minor incapable giving informed consent obtain order without parental consultation showing abortion best interests statute thus read fundamentally different statute creates parental veto appellees however part take entirely different view statute argue statute creates right parental veto creates irrebuttable presumption minor incapable informed consent statute permit abortion without parental consent case mature minor case minor incapable giving consent parents irrationally opposed abortion appellees specifically object abstention objection based upon opinion statute gives parents minors unbridled veto brief appellees veto exercised minor burden proving superior judge good cause exists ibid view good cause hearing forcing judge choose privacy rights young woman rights parents established statute ibid assuming good cause broader meaning appellees argue hearing makes statute unconstitutional burden imposes delay entails ibid iv deciding case need go claim district abstained pending construction statute massachusetts courts held numerous occasions abstention appropriate unconstrued state statute susceptible construction state judiciary might avoid whole part necessity federal constitutional adjudication least materially change nature problem harrison naacp see also colorado river cons dist carey sugar kusper pontikes lake carriers assn macmullan zwickler koota railroad pullman accept appellees assertion judicial massachusetts inevitably interpret statute create parental veto require superior act best interests minor impose undue burdens upon minor capable giving informed consent planned parenthood central missouri danforth today struck statute created parental veto ante time however held requirement written consent part pregnant adult unconstitutional unless unduly burdens right seek abortion case concerned statute directed toward minors unquestionably greater risks inability give informed consent without holding requirement hearing unduly burden rights mature adult cf doe rampton supp utah think clear instant litigation adoption appellants interpretation least materially change nature problem appellants claim presented harrison naacp whether judicial interpret statute whether interpret statute require consideration factors mentioned impose burdens serious suggested create unanticipated interference relationship determine need determine factors impermissible point review consent good cause case minor becomes unduly burdensome sufficient statute susceptible interpretation offered appellants find interpretation avoid substantially modify federal constitutional challenge statute clearly indeed absence authoritative construction impossible define precisely constitutional question presented appellees also raise however claim impermissible distinction consent procedures applicable minors area abortion consent required regard medical procedures issue come fore advent massachusetts statute enacted subsequent decision district dealing consent minors medical procedures abortion sterilization hold today planned parenthood however distinction abortion procedures forbidden ante constitutionality distinction depend upon degree justification constitutional issue defined however degree distinction consent procedure abortions consent procedures medical procedures established nature consent required abortions established circumstances federal stay hand extent challenge directly burdens created statute finally note judicial massachusetts adopted rule issue interpretation massachusetts law may certified directly prompt resolution mass rules sup jud rule often remarked equitable practice abstention limited considerations delay expense application abstention doctrine inevitably gives rise lake carriers assn macmullan quoting england medical examiners see kusper pontikes also noted however availability adequate certification procedure course long run save time energy resources helps build cooperative judicial federalism lehman brothers schein utilized certification procedures past courts appeals ibid cases cited therein nn importance speed resolution instant litigation manifest day statute effect irretrievable events substantial personal consequences occur although mean intimate abstention improper case certification possible availability certification greatly simplifies analysis light disapproval parental veto today planned parenthood must assume lower massachusetts courts called upon enforce statute pending interpretation judicial impose serious barrier insofar issue thus ceases become one total denial access becomes one rather relative burden cost abstention reduced desirability equitable remedy accordingly increased therefore hold district certified judicial massachusetts appropriate questions concerning meaning procedure imposes regard claim impermissible discrimination due statute claim raised district subject inquiry amended complaint perhaps means believe inappropriate district procedural requirement complied also certify question concerning meaning new statute extent procedures differ procedures must followed judgment district vacated cases remanded proceedings consistent opinion ordered footnotes repealed consequently due legislative oversight massachusetts two statutes denominated two denominated chapter opinion however concerns legislation section except emergency requiring immediate action abortion may performed sections twelve weeks twelve weeks unless written informed consent proper person persons delivered physician performing abortion set forth section twelve abortion thirteenth week pregnancy performed hospital duly authorized provide facilities general surgery except emergency requiring immediate action abortion may performed section twelve unless performed hospital duly authorized provide facilities obstetrical services section provides pertinent part person willfully violates provisions sections twelve twelve shall punished fine less one hundred dollars two thousand dollars section attorney general person whose consent required either pursuant section twelve common law may petition superior order enjoining performance abortion may performed contrary provisions sections twelve twelve unless statute declared emergency may made subject referendum petition law passed general take effect earlier ninety days become law mass const art referendum pt temporary restraining order injunction subsequently issued jurisdictional statement pp app provisions yet effective complaint originally filed named mary moe mary moe ii pregnant minor plaintiffs affidavits concerning status attached app thereafter november affidavits executed mary moe iii mary moe iv motion certify plaintiffs classes filed december refers four mary moes similarly district referred fact four mary moes named action supp record disclose mary moes iii iv added parties plaintiff event mary moes ii iii iv dismissed suit failure adduce evidence supporting standing appealed ruling way mary moes iii iv entered case therefore concern us note fact pregnancy mary moe terminated abortion performed protection temporary restraining order entered district way moots case roe wade also permitted intervene defendants kathleen roth others parents situated similarly hunerwadel jane doe anonymous parent pregnant unmarried minor district dismissed intervenors except hunerwadel failure adduce facts necessary show standing technically dismissed intervenors appealed might well classified appellees rule status however affect disposition cases regard appellee baird majority stated light unassailable standing plaintiffs pass question baird standing entirely clear appellants suggested interpretation district suggest see nevertheless fact full arguments favor abstention may asserted district bar consideration issue cf wisconsin constantineau practice abstention equitable nature see railroad pullman improper consider effect delay caused state failure suggest seek constitutional interpretation cf baggett bullitt instant case however injury appellees rights due delay appellants coming forward interpretation espouse result various orders district challenged portion statute never gone effect adopt view request abstention made beyond power district consider possible interpretations put forth parties indeed appear abstention may raised sua sponte see railroad pullman supra cf england medical examiners nothing section shall construed abolishing limiting common law rights person persons relative consent performance abortion purposes civil action injunctive relief section twelve see generally planned parenthood missouri danforth ante poe gerstein appeal docketed jackson guste civ action ed la doe zimmerman supp md doe exon civ action cv neb planned parenthood assn fitzpatrick supp ed foe vanderhoof supp indiana women services bowen civ action nd ind wolfe schroering supp wd state koome statute force pregnant sixteen year old become seventeen year old mother mother wants grandchild brief appellees parental consent statute constitutes legislative decree person age competent consent abortion contravenes line decisions struck certain irrebutable presumptions violative due process statute exception mature minors minors immature emotionally upset parents stated supra challenged portion statute never gone effect heated debate among parties meaning statute strong indication ambiguities contains assume judicial everything power interpret act conformity title act protect within present constitutional limits see boehning indiana state employees prior enactment statute consent procedure regard abortion least interpreted appellants arguably merely codification common law see brief appellants new legislation mass acts resolves approved reads chapter general laws hereby amended striking section amended section chapter acts inserting place thereof following section section physician dentist hospital shall held liable damages failure obtain consent parent legal guardian person custody control minor child spouse patient emergency examination treatment including blood transfusions delay treatment endanger life limb mental patient minor may give consent medical dental care time care sought married widowed divorced ii parent child case may also give consent medical dental care child iii member armed forces iv pregnant believes pregnant living separate apart parent legal guardian managing financial affairs vi reasonably believes suffering come contact disease defined dangerous public health pursuant section six chapter one hundred eleven provided however minor may consent care relates diagnosis treatment disease consent shall granted subparagraphs ii vi inclusive abortion sterilization consent given section shall subject later disaffirmance minority consent parent legal guardian shall required authorize care notwithstanding provisions law parent legal guardian shall liable payment care rendered pursuant section unless parent legal guardian expressly agreed pay care physician dentist hospital clinic infirmary shall liable civilly criminally obtaining consent parent legal guardian render medical dental care minor time care rendered person facility relied good faith upon representations minor legally able consent treatment section ii relied good faith upon representations minor eighteen years age information records kept connection medical dental care minor consents thereto accordance section shall confidential minor physician dentist shall released except upon written consent minor proper judicial order physician dentist attending minor reasonably believes condition said minor serious life limb endangered physician dentist shall notify parents legal guardian foster parents said condition shall inform minor said notification indication massachusetts certification procedure inadequate indeed dissent district cited prior case procedure employed apparent difficulty citing hendrickson sears