New Law Mandates Medical Staff at Abortion Clinics to Report Child Abuse

August 8, 2011

Olney, IL.…Legislation introduced by State Representative David Reis (R-Ste. Marie) was signed into law last week that expands the list of mandated child abuse reporters to include medical employees at abortion clinics.

"No one can turn a blind eye to a child who is being abused," Rep. Reis said. "Under the new law, volunteers to medical professionals working in an abortion clinic or office will be informed of child abuse reporting laws and know what steps to take if child neglect is suspected."

The new law expands the list of mandated reporters under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act to include medical professionals, such as a physician, physician's assistant, nurse, medical technician, social worker or licensed professional counselor, working in a clinic or location providing abortions, abortion referrals or contraceptives.

Non-medical personnel in such facilities shall be provided written training materials regarding child abuse and neglect under the new law. Additionally, volunteers and staff shall be instructed to notify a facility’s mandated reporter if a child is suspected of being abused.

"The new law addresses a scenario where a staff worker at a clinic offering contraceptives suspects child abuse and fails to act," said Rep. Reis. "This kind of silence perpetuates the vicious cycle of violence against innocent children."

The measure is in response to a sting operation conducted by a pro-life group, Live Action, at a New Jersey Planned Parenthood center. Two individuals from Live Action entered the location and purportedly implied they were involved in underage sex trafficking and needed health services for minors. A Planned Parenthood staff member recommended a location where a minor could obtain an abortion and allegedly failed to report the suspected child abuse to the authorities.

Rep. Reis stated, "The new law is an attempt to ensure what happened in New Jersey will not happen in Illinois."

Current law states persons involved in counseling, health and child care services are required to immediately report to the Department of Children and Family Services if there is a reasonable belief a child known to them may be abused or neglected.

House Bill 2093 expands current mandated reporting laws to include locations providing abortions, abortion referrals or contraceptives and instructs non-medical staff to bring to the attention of mandated reporters suspected cases of child abuse.

The bill passed both chambers unanimously and was signed into law as Public Act 97-0254.