Illinois Bill Prohibiting Abortion if the Fetus May Have Down Syndrome (HB 4210)

HB 4210 would prohibit a physician from intentionally performing an abortion with the knowledge that the pregnant person is seeking the abortion solely on account of the fetus having a test result indicating Down syndrome, a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome, or any other reason to believe that the fetus has Down syndrome.

Any physician who violates this provision would be guilty of a Class 4 felony, subject to revocation of his or her license, and would be liable for civil damages.

The bill specifies that a pregnant person on whom an abortion is performed would not be held liable.

Reporting Requirements

The bill would amend physician reporting requirements to include the attending physician’s knowledge as to whether the pregnant person was seeking the abortion solely on account of the fetus having a test result indicating Down syndrome, a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome, or any other reason to believe that the fetus has Down syndrome.

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