As we witness anti-abortion laws being enacted across the country and anticipate the overturn of Roe v. Wade, expanding access and protecting reproductive rights in Connecticut has never been more important.
The landmark decision of Roe v. Wade, which upholds a women’s right to choose, is codified into our state law. Abortion-related care will remain legal here, but that is unfortunately not the case for many states across the country.
Yesterday, the House voted to expand the eligibility for certain advanced healthcare practitioners to provide legal protections for those seeking or providing abortion-related care in Connecticut.
House Bill 5414:
- Expands eligibility to perform abortion care to include advanced nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and physician assistants to perform first-trimester aspiration and medication abortions.
- Protects individuals from extradition who are accused of seeking or providing reproductive healthcare in Connecticut that may be criminal in other states.
- Prohibits state agencies and health care providers from assisting in out-of-state investigations or prosecutions of reproductive healthcare that is legal in Connecticut.
- Anyone being sued in another state for allegedly providing, or receiving support for, reproductive health services that are legal in Connecticut can recover certain costs they incurred defending themselves.
It has been 32 years since the legislature examined abortion laws in our state and given the climate we are in now, where other states are infringing upon an individual’s right to choose, it is important that we act to expand access and protect our residents and other individuals that come to Connecticut. |
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| This legislation was passed by the Senate and now moves to the Governor's desk. |
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