Two aides to Mrs. Clinton said yesterday that while she once supported Arkansas's parental notification law, she now preferred New York's approach. New York is one of more than a dozen states that do not have a parental notification requirement; instead, health care providers have to give information about medical options and risks to patients, including those seeking abortions.

Under the parental notification laws of Arkansas and other states, minors must involve at least one parent in the decision or else receive permission from a judge to obtain an abortion on their own.

"Parental notification is something that we are particularly concerned about in New York State," said Carla M. Goldstein, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of New York City, which works with and helps finance Family Planning Advocates. "Reporters and the general public really need to understand the dangers of parental notification. Judicial bypass can end up creating a much later-stage pregnancy."

Ms. Goldstein added, "It can take at least several days for a decision, and it can melt into weeks, and the procedure gets more dangerous, then costs more money, and then it can get even later."

"We're really concerned that the Democratic Party, of which Hillary is a leader, has indicated that they may need to soften their stance on protecting women's reproductive health and freedom," she added.

Asked if Mrs. Clinton still supported state parental notification laws that include the judicial bypass option, a spokeswoman, Jennifer Hanley, said: "This is too sensitive and important of an issue to make it as black and white as yes or no. The senator believes that New York is the model. In states where it is the only option, then yes, she supports parental notification with judicial bypass."

Some abortion rights advocates expressed other concerns yesterday. Barbara de Leeuw, a Family Planning Advocates board member, praised Mrs. Clinton's speech overall but said she was "a little disappointed" that the senator did not speak more about "abstinence plus," a term for sexual education programs that provide both abstinence counseling and health-conscious advice for sexually active people.