By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – A Democratic lawmaker wants to give pregnant girls in Illinois options besides notifying their parents before having an abortion.
Representative John Fritchey of Chicago says he has bi-partisan support for a proposal to replace a long-ignored parental notification law that recently was given new life by the Illinois Supreme Court.
Fritchey's bill would allow girls to get counseling from a clergy member, a medical professional or another adult family member. The counseling would include information about carrying a pregnancy to term and adoption.
Fritchey was joined by three Democrats and two Republicans at a news conference announcing the bill today.
Last month, the Supreme Court issued rules that could lead to enforcement of a state law requiring doctors to notify a girl's parents 48 hours before performing an abortion.