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This week’s Feedback Friday topic is:
Reproductive Rights Bill Package Introduced
Yesterday, Governor Wes Moore, Senate President Bill Ferguson, House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, and state legislators announced a comprehensive reproductive rights legislative package, taking the first steps towards enshrining reproductive rights in the Maryland constitution. The bill package will provide concrete protections for Marylanders’ reproductive freedoms, protect private medical information, and expand access to reproductive healthcare services.
Following the Dobbs v. Jackson decision, the Supreme Court no longer recognizes individual reproductive health decisions, which leaves Maryland’s statutory right to abortion vulnerable.
“As long as I am Governor, our home will be a safe haven for abortion access,” said Governor Moore. “While some states have decided to move toward restricting reproductive rights, I can assure you, we will protect them.”
The legislative package includes four core bills:
The Right to Reproductive Freedom (HB705/SB798): enables a ballot measure to constitutionally enshrine the rights of Marylanders to reproductive freedom.
Reproductive Health Protections (HB808/SB859): protects patients, providers, and people supporting out-of-state patients seeking reproductive health care in Maryland from criminal, civil, and administrative actions from restrictive states.
Reproductive Healthcare at Higher Education Institutions (HB477/SB341): requires Maryland’s public higher education institutions to develop reproductive health access plans to provide or refer for the full range of reproductive health and wrap-around support services. The legislation also requires campuses to provide 24-hour access to contraceptives.
Privacy Protections for Reproductive Health Records (HB812/SB786): provides additional privacy protections for medical records to reduce the risk of criminal prosecution or civil litigation for out-of-state patients seeking reproductive care in Maryland.
According to the Office of the Governor, the laws “will prevent states that have banned or restricted abortion from intimidating those seeking abortion care and protect volunteers and health care providers. The legislation also further expands access to reproductive care by removing barriers for many students—those without transportation, family support, or facing the trauma of sexual assault.”
What do you think about this Reproductive Rights bill package and the protections it’s intended to provide Marylanders and those seeking care in our state?
Please share your thoughts by filling out this form. Today’s responses—and all future Feedback Friday responses—will be published in our Monday newsletters after the weekend. AND, several responses from recent topics will appear in our upcoming print magazines!
