A pair of bills tightening requirements on minors who are seeking abortions passed out of the state House of Representatives this week. They're getting heavy support from Southeast Valley legislators.

A dozen lawmakers from the Southeast Valley's six legislative districts have their names attached to House Bill 2666, including primary sponsor Rep. Warde Nichols, R-Chandler. Lawmakers include John Huppenthal, John McComish and Bob Robson.

"This isn't pitting pro-life against pro-choice people," Nichols said. "This is just good, common sense legislation to make sure that the parents maintain their parental rights."

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Before performing an abortion on a minor, a physician currently must obtain written consent from a parent or guardian. But bill supporters said there's a growing problem with signatures not being verified.

The bill would help avoid falsification of the necessary documents, supporters say, by requiring the consent to be notarized.

"All the abortion clinic has to do is have someone on staff become a notary," said Cathi Herrod, interim president of the Center for Arizona Policy, a conservative advocacy group.

Another bill making its way through the Legislature, House Bill 2776, would increase the amount of proof a minor would need to prove maturity before a judge.

Minors can currently go before a judge to get permission to have an abortion without a parent's consent if the judge determines the minor is mature and capable of making informed consent. The bill adds factors for the court to consider, such as age, work experience outside home, travel experience, and history of handling personal finances.

Both bills passed the House 39-18 Tuesday, with four Democrats voting in support, and now move to the Republican-controlled Senate for approval.

Critics say the legislation builds barriers for women to get abortions, jeopardizes confidentiality, and doesn't help with family communication.

"Facing these constant barriers in front of a legal medical procedure is not something that we can support," said Michelle Steinberg, public affairs director for Planned Parenthood of Central and Northern Arizona.

Instead, bill foes say, community leaders and state lawmakers should rally around creating a teenage pregnancy prevention package that includes comprehensive sexual education programs or distributing contraceptives.

"If we really were concerned about our children, we'd give them education and guidance, and hope that they never ever have to make this decision," said Rep. Meg Burton Cahill, D-Tempe.

Nichols said having a dozen Southeast Valley legislators attached to HB 2666 wasn't intentional.