On January 19, 2007 Lisa Madigan finally took action by asking the Federal Court to overturn the injunction blocking the Parental Notice of Abortion Act of 1995 from taking effect. This is a very positive step. Hopefully, we will soon have effective parental notice in Illinois so our state is no longer the place to bring underage girls from other states as a means to avoid the parental involvement laws of all surrounding states. Abortionists in Illinois could lose a good segment of business when this law takes effect.

Recognizing that possibility, abortion advocates have introduced HB 317 in the Illinois House. HB 317 creates the so-called Adolescent Health Care Safety Act. In fact, this legislation repeals the Parental Notice of Abortion Act of 1995. It purports to refine parental notice. However, under Section 25, a minor seeking an abortion may waive the notice requirement. The bill also allows notification of aunts, uncles, siblings, step-siblings or clergy members, even if they do not know the girl seeking the abortion. No effective notification requirement exists if this sham bill passes.

As reflected in the title of HB 317, abortion advocates claim that parental notice endangers teenage girls. Such a claim is purely propaganda, given the facts. Parental notice laws are effective in at least 34 states.  There is no evidence from these states that girls are endangered. There is testimony from many women who regret the abortion they had as a teenager. They concealed their pregnancy and abortion from their parents out of embarrassment about their situation, not concern about abusive parents. If their parents had known, they could have helped these girls reach a better decision. If the abortion creates medical complications, the parents are again responsible for their daughter’s care.  Parents have the right to know that their daughter is considering abortion.

Even abortion advocates claim that reducing the number of abortions is a good thing.  Parental notice laws have shown they are an important factor in reducing teen abortions in states where they are enforced.  Illinois should not repeal a good law now that it will finally have a chance to take effect. HB 317 should be rejected because it will not refine parental notice, but rather eliminate it! Such a step will not make teens safer!