Gov. Pritzker Signs Legislation to Further Protect Reproductive Rights

Gov. Pritzker Signs Legislation to Further Protect Reproductive Rights

SPRINGFIELD – Building on efforts to make Illinois a national
leader in safeguarding reproductive rights, Governor JB
Pritzker signed House Bill 370, repealing the harmful Parental
Notification Act (PNA). Rescinding the PNA ensures that while
a pregnant minor can choose to involve a family member or
legal guardian in their decision to have or not have an abortion,
vulnerable youth – such as victims of rape, incest, and domestic
abuse – are not compelled to do so under the law.

“With reproductive rights under attack across the nation,
Illinois is once again establishing itself as a leader in ensuring
access to healthcare services,” said Governor JB Pritzker.
“This repeal was essential, because it was the most vulnerable
pregnant minors who were punished by this law: victims of
rape and physical abuse in unsafe homes. I thank Representative
Anna Moeller, Senator Elgie Sims and the lawmakers and
advocates who have fiercely fought to repeal this law and keep
vulnerable young people safe. I’m proud that Illinois continues
to be a national leader in protecting reproductive rights.”

The Parental Notification Act of 1995 required doctors to notify
a pregnant minor’s parent within 48 hours prior to an abortion procedure.
This obstruction harmed the state’s most vulnerable youth,
including victims of rape and domestic abuse, by preventing young
people from accessing all of their healthcare options without fear.

“While several states are denying women access to reproductive
health care, Illinois has again stepped forward to
protect that right,” said State Senator Elgie R. Sims (D-Chicago).
“Current law causes harm by placing barriers to care for
young women in unsafe family situations. Personal decisions
about reproductive health care will now rightfully be up to
individuals and their health care providers.”

“After years of work, the Youth Health and Safety Act
successfully repeals the last anti-abortion law on the books in
Illinois,” said Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-Hillside).
“With the Governor’s signature, we are ensuring that everyone,
regardless of age, has bodily autonomy and can choose
who they involve in their most private and personal health
decisions. I want to congratulate Reps. Anna Moeller and
Kelly Cassidy for their tenacious advocacy, working alongside
organizations like Planned Parenthood, ACLU and many
more to ensure Illinois sends the very clear message that we
will always protect the right to safe reproductive health care.”

To ensure lasting change, the bill also creates the Youth
Health and Safety Advisory Working Group to identify laws
and policies that impact parenting and pregnant youth under
the age of 18. Under the purview of the Illinois Department of
Public Health (IDPH), the group will focus on reproductive
safety for pregnant and parenting youth as well as preventing
human trafficking. The working group will discuss topics
around consent to medical care, treatment, pregnancy and
post-pregnancy, and healthcare provisions. The Governor will
appoint four members with at least two members under the
age of 18. The advisory group is required to present a report
and any recommendations by July 1, 2023.

This legislation builds upon the administration’s commitment
to ensure all residents have access to basic health care and
family planning with the freedom to make their own choices.
In 2019, Illinois established in state law a fundamental right to
reproductive healthcare, including abortion and maternity care,
through the Reproductive Health Act. In July of 2021, Illinois
became the second state in the Midwest to require birth control
be available through a pharmacist, without a doctor’s visit.

Amid a wave of legislation and court action across the nation
restricting a woman’s right to choose, more out-of-state patients
are now traveling to Illinois to receive reproductive care. According
to the most recent data from the Illinois Department of
Public Health, 7,534 nonresidents received abortions in Illinois
in 2019, compared with 2,970 in 2014 and 5,528 in 2017.

HB 370 is effective January 1, 2024.

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