Democrat leaders in the Senate and in the House of Representatives garnered enough votes on a bill in late October that would repeal parental notification of abortion in Illinois, despite Republican lawmakers and some Democrat lawmakers taking a strong stand for parental rights in assuring the physical and mental well-being of their minor children.
Passed by a 32-22 vote in the Senate on Oct. 26, and a 62-51 vote in the House on Oct. 27, House Bill 370 has not yet been acted on by the Governor more than three weeks later.
Senator Plummer says House Bill 370 is a direct attack on parental rights and will leave countless young girls vulnerable at a time when they desperately need support and guidance.
The Parental Notice of Abortion Act of 1995 requires that parents of minors be notified before their child receives an abortion procedure. Currently, the law simply stipulates that a parent be informed of the procedure. Parents are not required to provide consent. Should Gov. Pritzker sign House Bill 370, minor children would no longer have to inform their parents prior to undergoing the medical procedure.