Abortion Notification Repeal: House Approves, Gov 'Proud To Sign'

ILLINOIS — The Illinois House of Representatives on Wednesday voted 62-51 to repeal a 1995 law requiring parental notification when girls younger than 18 seek an abortion. The move follows a 32-22 vote Tuesday in the state Senate, and the bill will now head to Gov. J.B. Pritzker's desk. He is expected to sign it.

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.

"At a time when reproductive rights are under attack across the country, Illinois is protecting those critical reproductive rights," Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement following the vote. "This repeal was essential, because it was the most vulnerable pregnant minors who were being hurt most by this law: victims of rape, incest and physical abuse."

In addition to repealing the notification requirement, the bill will create a taskforce to provide resources for pregnant people and young parents.

The governor thanked the bill's sponsors, state Rep. Anna Moeller (D-Elgin) and state Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago), as well as "countless lawmakers and advocates who have fiercely fought to repeal this harmful law and keep vulnerable young people safe."

Moller, the proposal's chief sponsor, explained in a statement why she wants the law gone.

"The reason for repeal is many," she said. "The minority of young people who are not able to talk to their parents have serious reasons for not doing so, such as fear of physical or emotional abuse, loss of financial support or homelessness, fear of being forced to give birth against their will, or serious family problems such as a parent who is sick or in prison."

Pritzker said he would be proud to sign the repeal and promised not to waver in protecting reproductive rights. Once signed, the repeal will go into effect June 1.

The move to repeal Illinois' last significant restriction on abortions 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."