OK on abortions required for Massachusetts teens

In a stinging defeat for the pro-abortion movement, a new law went into effect requiring unwed teen-agers to gain the consent of their parents or a judge before obtaining abortions in Massachusetts. The controversial law requiring girls under 18 to get consent from both parents or a Superior Court magistrate became effective at midnight Wednesday despite 11th-hour attempts to block it.

The state Supreme Judicial Court, meeting in a special session, heard two hours of testimony by attorneys for abortion advocate William Baird and the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts who were seeking a preliminary injunction. The five justices then met for an hour behind closed doors before adjourning without a de cision.