SPRINGFIELD — To ensure women have the information they need to make informed family planning decisions, State Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton is sponsoring legislation to facilitate conversations between patients and physicians.

“There is no one-size-fits-all approach to family planning, which is why women need to be informed of all options available to them,” said Glowiak Hilton (D-Western Springs). “This bill is about empowering women with the knowledge they need to plan their futures.”

According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the ability for a woman to get pregnant starts to decline at age 30. To assess a woman’s likelihood of getting pregnant on their own, health care providers can use ovarian reserve testing — a blood test and ultrasound — to estimate the number of healthy eggs in a woman’s ovaries.

Glowiak Hilton’s legislation would direct the Illinois Department of Public Health to create and distribute materials to women over age 25 to help guide fertility decisions. This would include information on ovarian reserve testing, as well as locations where testing is offered and resources available after receiving test results.

“Many women may not know ovarian reserve testing is an option,” said Glowiak Hilton. “With this information readily available, doctors can help patients assess what options align with their needs and circumstances.”

Senate Bill 2215 passed the Senate Public Health Committee on Tuesday.