New Illinois law shields abortion records to ‘ensure patients retain full control’

The Illinois Legislature has passed a law to protect the privacy of patient medical information related to abortion care. The measure, called the Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act, takes effect July 1, 2027, and requires electronic health networks to implement technical capabilities to prevent the disclosure of private health care information regarding abortion-related services to entities located outside of Illinois. “Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, out-of-state entities have attempted to use every tool available to punish women who have sought abortions,” Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said in a statement, adding that the law will “ensure that patients retain full control over their private health information.”