Illinois Bill introduced to repeal, replace parental notification law

Illinois state Rep. John Fritchey (D) on Tuesday introduced a bill (HB 5840) that would repeal and replace a parental notification law revived recently by the state Supreme Court, the AP/Belleville News Democrat reports (Johnson, AP/Belleville News Democrat, 10/3).

The Illinois Supreme Court last month issued rules for a state law -- passed in 1995 but never enforced -- that requires parental notification for minors seeking abortions.

The rules require physicians to notify an adult family member 48 hours before performing an abortion on an unmarried minor or an "incompetent person."

Physicians can bypass the requirement if they certify there is a medical emergency, and a minor seeking an abortion could request a judicial bypass or be exempt by declaring in writing that she is a survivor of neglect or abuse from an adult family member (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 9/21).

According to the AP/News Democrat, Fritchey's bill -- which has bipartisan support -- would expand the law to allow a girl seeking an abortion to notify an uncle, an aunt or an adult sibling.

In addition, the bill would allow girls to avoid notifying their parents if they receive counseling -- including information about prenatal care, the implications of carrying a pregnancy to term and adoption -- from a clergy member, medical professional or an adult family member.

Thomas Brejcha, president of Thomas More Society, a Chicago-based legal advocacy group that supports parental notification, said the bill is "outrageous," adding, "Any parental notice could be waived under this bill as long as any counselor for an abortion provider signs off on it."

Pamela Sutherland, CEO of the Illinois Planned Parenthood Council, said that she supports the bill and that Planned Parenthood clinics would not have to alter their practices if the measure is passed.

She added that the bill would "set into law standards of practice for all providers that would mirror ours."

Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) spokesperson Sheila Nix said the governor has not yet examined the bill, "[b]ut it sounds like it would be something that would help Gov. Blagojevich's goal of protecting young women who are victims of rape or incest" (AP/Belleville News Democrat, 10/3).