Vote clears path for abortion notification law

CHICAGO – A vote by Illinois' Medical Disciplinary Board has cleared the path for the state to start enforced a hotly debated abortion notification law.

The board met in Chicago on Wednesday and decided not to extend the grace period the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation put in place.

A spokeswoman said that means the law goes into effect immediately. It requires physicians to notify the parents or guardians of girls 17 or younger before the teens get abortions.

Illinois joins 35 other states with similar laws.

The law doesn't require parental consent, only that the doctor give 48 hours notice before an abortion.