Illinois Rep. Breen Files Bill to Stop Fetal Body Part Harvesting

A press release was just disseminated from RePeter-B. copypresentative Breen’s (R-48) office included the following:

“SPRINGFIELD…..In response to controversial videos that have surfaced surrounding the harvesting and sale of aborted fetal body parts and tissue, State Representative Peter Breen (R-Lombard) has filed legislation to amend and clarify the Illinois Anatomical Gift Act as it relates to tissue and body parts that can be legally donated or sold.

HB4266, filed Wednesday in Springfield, would amend the Anatomical Gift Act by expanding the definition of “decedent” to include a deceased fetus or unborn child using definitions outlined in the Illinois Abortion Law of 1975. The proposed new language also expressly prohibits the donation or sale of aborted fetuses and fetal tissue.

“Recent videos have shined a spotlight on the harvesting and sale of aborted baby body parts in our nation’s abortion clinics,” said Breen. “From the lack of informed consent to modifying abortion procedures to harvest more ‘valuable’ organs, these practices are rife with abuse. This bill is a bipartisan attempt to put an end to the trafficking of the remains of these aborted babies.”

Upon its filing, 29 legislators from both the Republican and Democratic parties signed on as co-sponsors, including Chief Co-Sponsors Reps. Jerry Costello (D-Red Bud), Dwight Kay (R-Edwardsville), Dan Brady (R-Normal), and Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg). The bill will be read for a first time and then considered by the House Rules Committee.

“The allegations involving Planned Parenthood are incredibly troubling, and as lawmakers we need to do whatever we can to ensure the confidence of Illinoisans in our state’s Anatomical Gift Act,” continued Breen. “This issue extends beyond the abortion debate and addresses important issues of how, and under what circumstances, body parts and tissues can and should be used.”

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Illinois Right to Life commends Rep. Breen and his Chief Co-Sponsors Reps. Jerry Costello (D-Red Bud), Dwight Kay (R-Edwardsville), Dan Brady (R-Normal), and Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg) and co-sponsors Rep. Ron Sandack (R-81), Rep. Avery Bourne (R-95), Rep. Adam Brown (R-102), Rep. Norine Hammond (R-93), Rep. Terri Bryant (R-115), Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-100), Rep. John D. Cavaletto (R-107), Rep. Sheri Jesiel (R-61), Rep. Barbara Wheeler (R-64), Rep. Christine Winger (R-45), Rep. Thomas Bennett (R-106), Rep. Steven Adnersson (R-65), Rep. Margo McDermed (R-37), Rep. Tom Demmer (R-90), Rep. Michael Unes (R-91), Rep. Jeanne M. Ives (R-42), Rep. Thomas Morrison (R-54), Rep. Grant Wehrli (R-41), Rep. Katherine Cloonen (D-79), Rep. David McSweeney (R-52), Rep. Mark Batinick (R-97), Rep. John M. Cabello (R-68), Rep. Donald L. Moffitt (R-74), Rep. Charles E. Meier (R-108), and Rep. Raymond Poe (R-109) for their actions to end the morally repulsive behavior of fetal body part trafficking and harvesting.

The full text of HB4266 can be read here.

This bill was filed a week after Illinois Right to Life sent a formal letter to all members of the General Assembly educating them on the horrifying and barbaric videos released by the Center for Medical Progress. Read a copy of the letter here.

Read more information on the videos here.