Rep. Blair-Sherlock supports HB5295 to establish reproductive health privacy law
Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock (D-46th) cast a Yes vote on HB5295, which seeks to establish the Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act, during the 104th General Assembly on May 31, 2026, passing the House by a 73-39 margin, according to the Illinois House.
The bill summary describes the measure as: "REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH PRIVACY."
The following is an explanation based on the legislative text, offering interpretation as needed to clarify its main provisions.
The bill would create the Reproductive Health Records Privacy Act, requiring health information exchanges to implement technical and policy solutions by July 1, 2027, to separate abortion-related medical records from other patient health information. It sets access limits, restricts disclosures outside Illinois, and allows patients to seek financial and injunctive relief in court, including attorney fees. The Illinois attorney general may seek civil penalties of up to $50,000 per violation. It also amends the Medical Patient Rights Act to confirm patient privacy protections and supports the separation of abortion-related records in health information exchanges. The bill includes a severability clause.
The legislative record for HB5295 notes: 'Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 House Concurs.'
Blair-Sherlock obtained an AA from College of DuPage in 1985, a BS from Northern Illinois University in 1987, and a JD from John Marshall Law School in 1993.
A Democrat, Blair-Sherlock was elected to the Illinois State House in 2023 to represent the 46th District, succeeding Deborah Conroy.
The legislative process in Illinois involves a multi-step procedure, starting with a bill’s introduction in either chamber, progressing to committee examination, floor debates, and votes in both the House and Senate, before submission to the governor for signature or veto. The General Assembly meets biennially, and although thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a minority successfully become law.