SPRINGFIELD, Illinois, March 15, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Following a string of undercover videos showing Planned Parenthood employees failing to report child rape and underage sex trafficking, the organization’s Illinois affiliate is lobbying against a state bill that would broaden the duty to report such abuse.
David Schmidt of Live Action, the pro-life group responsible for exposing Planned Parenthood employees’ failures to report child abuse, on Saturday reported that Planned Parenthood’s form petition to Illinois state senators urges a “no” vote on HB 2093, a measure intended to extend the reporting mandate to all staff at health care facilities, instead of only licensed health care workers.
In the letter Planned Parenthood argues: “All doctors, nurses and teachers are already mandated reporters. Therefore, these organizations are already legally required to make reports. This bill creates redundant regulations that have the potential to overload the Department of Children and Family Services.”
Live Action made national news in 2009 with its “Mona Lisa project,” which involved undercover footage of Planned Parenthood employees coaching an investigator posing as a 13-year-old girl to lie about the age of the 31-year-old who impregnated her, and advising her to seek a secret abortion across state lines. This year, the group again raised controversy with footage showing employees in several states helping a “pimp” arrange for abortions and other sexual health services for his underage trafficking victims.
Schmidt said that the bill creates no redundant regulations, but would simply require that all Planned Parenthood staff report abuse.
“Planned Parenthood non-medically licensed staff can currently choose to legally ignore child sexual abuse — and they support their ability to do so!” wrote Schmidt. “It shows that Planned Parenthood has an institutional problem with child sexual abuse reporting and not just a training issues.”
The NARAL-affiliated Illinois Choice Action Team reversed its course on HB 2093 earlier this month, withdrawing their opposition to the measure thanks in part to negative feedback.