While the General Assembly was back in Springfield for its annual Veto Session, Illinois Democrats voted to repeal the Parental Notice of Abortion (PNA) Act of 1995.
Under the legislation, which is now on the Governor’s desk, facilities performing an abortion procedure on a minor will no longer have to notify the minor’s parents or legal guardians 48 hours before the procedure. Previously, the law simply stipulated that a parent be informed of their daughter’s procedure, but there was no requirement for them to provide consent.
State Senator Sue Rezin says the repeal of the PNA is a terrible blow to parental rights in the state and could potentially deny parents the chance to provide their daughters with the care and support they need during an important and difficult time in their life.
Opponents of the PNA argued that the law was an unnecessary burden for minors who are victims of abuse. However, Senate Republicans argue that the law actually provides safeguards to vulnerable minors who may be pressured into an abortion by their abusers.
According to the Guttmacher Institute, Illinois will join eight other states that have no laws requiring any parental involvement in a minor’s abortion decision. Gov. JB Pritzker is expected to sign the legislation.