IL Senate Votes To Repeal Parental Notifications For Abortions

Chicago IL

27 October, 2021

12:15 PM

Description

ILLINOIS — The Illinois Senate on Tuesday voted 32-22 to repeal a 1995 law requiring parental notification when girls younger than 18 seek an abortion. The law currently requires Illinois abortion providers to notify an adult family member before performing an abortion on a pregnant minor. The law defines a minor as anyone under the age of 18 who has never been married or legally emancipated. A minor who doesn't want to notify a family member has to instead get permission from a judge. The law does not require the consent of the family member, only 48 hours notice. Passed by Republican majorities nearly two decades ago, it is one of the last significant restrictions on abortion in the state. If the law next passes the state House, it will go to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who has said he favors repealing the law. The vote comes as Texas and other states with Republican majorities move to restrict or criminalize abortions, leaving Roe v. Wade in Constitutional limbo. Proponents of the Illinois law say it enshrines in law parents' right to have a say in their children's lives. Opponents say it is intended only to complicate the process for those seeking a Constitutionally protected medical procedure. "It's the most basic human relationship that we know and it is a precious bond for a lifetime, most critical during a young girl's, a minor's, formative years," Republican Sen. Jil Tracy told the Associated Press. "We have enough problems in the state without creating more wedges between children and their parents." But, according to a joint report from the American Civil Liberties Union and Human Rights Watch, forcing parental notification is not always in a minor's best interest, such as in situations where parents are abusive. "Forcing someone to tell their parents, it isn't going to help. If someone can tell their parents, they will, because it's so much simpler," said one teen cited in the report. "The only people [PNA] really affects are the people it hurts."