The Illinois Senate advanced 40 bills on Wednesday, including a bill allowing minors to consent to receiving birth control services without the need for a parent or other person’s consent.
There are 24 states, plus the District of Columbia, that allow minors to consent to receiving contraceptives on their own, according to the KFF.
Bill sponsor Sen. Graciela Guzmán said it’s about ensuring young people can get contraceptives if they need them.
During floor debate, Republicans objected to the bill and accused Guzmán of trying to cut parents out of important decisions concerning their children and raised the possibility that sex trafficking or abuse victims would go undetected.
