Galesburg Reporter

Opponents of a 1995 law that requires parental notification at least 48 hours before a juvenile girl getting an abortion want to it repealed.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Illinois asked the state Legislature to do away with the Parental Notice of Abortion Act (PNA). The law requires a health care provider to share reproductive health details with a minor's parents. 

"The current law simply requires notification, not consent, and repealing it would be a slap in the face to parents who want to offer care, support and counseling for their children," Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) said in an April 21 Facebook post. "Should this legislation make it to the Senate floor, I will be opposing it."

Under the current law, girls who want to get an abortion without notifying a parent can do so through the courts by asking for a "judicial bypass," or a waiver from the judge, but must prove they can decide for themselves and that telling a parent isn't in their best interest. 

The ACLU recently released a report that revealed many children who opt to go before a judge to receive a "judicial bypass" to avoid notifying a parent about an abortion, do so out of fear of abuse or alienation.

The Illinois Times reported the ACLU's findings included information based on feedback from children who sought judicial bypass out of fear of being either forced to go through with the pregnancy, get kicked out of the house, cut off financially, or ruin family relationships.