Illinois Senate Approves Repeal of Parental Notification Law

The Illinois Senate has approved the repeal of the state's parental notification law.

The bill would remove the requirement that a minor's parents be told that a girl is going to have an abortion. If it becomes law, a minor wouldn't have to tell anyone or, as it stands now, go to a court to request that their parents not be notified.

Local State Senator Darren Bailey of Louisville said the decision intrudes on families' fundamental rights, and added that experts say sex traffickers seek out states with no parental notification laws...

The final Senate vote was 32-22 in favor of repeal. Four Democrats voted against the repeal of the law, and five others did not vote on the measure.

The ACLU of Illinois said that is has represented more than 575 young people in the past eight years who sought a judicial bypass.

“Ending this barrier for young people in Illinois is critical,” the ACLU said. “We are especially pleased that a majority of senators saw through the argument that PNA (Parental Notification Act) is not about abortion, only about parental ‘rights.’ This is a fallacy. After all, the law only requires that young people share their decision about an abortion, not the decision to parent or place a baby for adoption.  This has always been about deterring young people from access to abortion care, and nothing else.”

State Senator Jason Plummer also opposes the change. 

“As a parent, it is my right to know and protect the health and wellbeing of my children. If we repeal this act, it will have critical consequences both psychologically and mentally on children across the state,” Sen. Plummer said. “This issue is about parental rights and being able to support and help our children.”

State Senator Jil Tracy says PNA is there as a level of assistance for pregnant girls who are facing a tough decision. Tracy said it doesn't make sense that the State would raise the smoking age to 21, but allow a young teenager the ability to get an abortion without telling anyone.

The measure now goes to the House, where its fate is less certain.