The Illinois Senate has approved a bill that would require medical providers who choose not to perform a procedure such as abortion to transfer or refer patients to another facility if they request it, according to a PregnancyHelpNews report published on LifeNews.com.
Here are three things to know about the bill.
1. The legislation, Senate Bill 1564, passed by a 61-54 margin. It now awaits the signature of Republican Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner.
2. Under the bill, Illinois pro-life medical providers who choose not to perform abortions or prescribe birth control would have to choose from one of the following options: refer the patient to another provider, transfer the patient to another provider, or provide a list of "other healthcare providers who they reasonably believe may offer the healthcare service," according to the report.
3. Matt Bowman, senior legal counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, has urged the pro-life community to contact Gov. Rauner's office and ask him to veto the bill.