The Illinois legislature is considering a bill that would allow authorities to charge parents or guardians with child abuse if they deny their children access to abortion or gender transition services.

House Bill 4876 was introduced earlier this month by State Rep. Anna Stava-Murray, and would also provide legal protection to medical professionals who perform abortions or provide gender reassignment treatments, like surgery and hormone replacement drugs.

If passed, the bill would amend Illinois’ existing Abused and Neglected Child Act by changing the definition of an abused child to include those whose parents object to them seeking such procedures. It also places the ability to procure these treatments fully in the hands of children as young as 12.

“Consent to the performance of abortion services and gender-affirming services executed by a minor is not voidable because of such minority,” reads HB 4876’s official synopsis.

In Illinois, the Department of Family and Child Services is legally required to step in when abuse is suspected—which means children could potentially be removed from their parents’ custody under restrictions placed by the new bill. Parents could also be jailed for up to 15 years for refusing to seek abortions and gender reassignment treatment for their children.

The Parents Matter Coalition is among those speaking up in opposition. The group has toured the state over the past few weeks, proposing that an advisory question be added to November’s general election ballot. The question states: “Shall the written consent from a minor’s parent or guardian be required before any entity, person, clinic or school can provide a minor (under the age of 18 years) any non-emergency medical procedure, medication, pharmaceutical, or any gender modification procedure, gender identification counseling or gender therapy?”

While the results of the referendum wouldn’t be legally binding, it would give state lawmakers the ability to hear from deeply concerned parents.

“They haven’t been in the world long enough to understand the implications of a decision that they make today,” Parents Matter founder Vince Heaton said of those under 18 years old. “Every decision has a consequence. As parents, we want those decisions to be good and those consequences to be positive. So, that’s really what this is about.”

Photo: Alamy.com