summary
Introduced
02/04/2025
02/04/2025
In Committee
02/06/2025
02/06/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Creates the Coercive Abuse Against Mothers Prevention Act. Provides that it is illegal to coerce or force a pregnant woman to have an abortion. Provides that whoever coerces or forces a pregnant woman to have an abortion is guilty of a petty offense with a fine of $500 and a business offense with a fine of $1,500. Allows a pregnant woman injured by an abuser's violation of the Act to bring a civil suit to recover damages for such injury regardless of whether the abuser is criminally prosecuted and whether the pregnant woman has an abortion. Requires a reproductive health care facility to conspicuously post signs visible to all who enter its waiting, consultation, and procedure rooms specified notices and information. Requires a mandatory reporter to personally report every instance of alleged or suspected coerced abortion to the Department of Children and Family Services or the local law enforcement authority of the county the facility is in. Requires an attending health care professional to orally ask a pregnant woman, in a private room and without any individual accompanying her, if she is being coerced or forced to have an abortion. Provides that any mandatory reporter who has reason to believe a woman is or has been a victim of coercion and willfully and knowingly does not report such coercion, force, attempted coercion, threatened coercion, or threatened force is guilty of a business offense with a fine of $5,000. Provides that any health care professional who willfully violates the mandatory reporting requirements shall be referred to the Illinois State Medical Board for action on whether to suspend or revoke his or her license. Allows a pregnant woman injured by a facility's violation of the Act to bring a civil suit to recover damages for such injury. Makes other changes. Effective 90 days after becoming law.
AI Summary
This bill creates the Coercive Abuse Against Mothers Prevention Act, which establishes comprehensive legal protections for pregnant women against being forced or coerced into having an abortion. The legislation defines coercion broadly, including threats of physical harm, employment termination, financial withdrawal, or other forms of pressure designed to compel a woman to terminate her pregnancy. Under the bill, it becomes illegal to coerce or force a pregnant woman into an abortion, with penalties including petty offenses and business offenses that carry fines of $500 to $1,500. The bill requires reproductive health care facilities to post visible signs informing women of their rights and mandates that healthcare professionals privately ask pregnant women if they are being coerced. Mandatory reporters, which include a wide range of healthcare and medical professionals, are legally required to report any suspected cases of abortion coercion to authorities within 48 hours, with potential fines of $5,000 for failing to do so. The legislation also allows women who have been subjected to coercion to bring civil suits to recover damages, regardless of whether criminal prosecution occurs. Importantly, the bill explicitly states that it does not create or endorse a right to abortion, but instead focuses on protecting women's freedom of choice without external pressure or force.
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Referred to Rules Committee (on 02/06/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2617&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104 |
| BillText | https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/104/HB/10400HB2617.htm |
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