Reproductive Privacy Act Passes Senate HHS Committee, Heads to Full Senate

Reproductive Privacy Act Passes Senate HHS Committee, Heads to Full Senate

The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services voted in favor of the Reproductive Privacy Act (H5125B) on Thursday on a 8-2 vote, after the Senate Judiciary in a controversial move sent the bill to HHS earlier in the week. 

"As someone who believes in a woman’s right to choose and who thinks it is important to codify the protections of Roe v. Wade into state law given the current composition of the US Supreme Court,  I am in support of this revised and substantially improved legislation. I urge all Committee members to join me in supporting it and for the Senate and the House to pass it expeditiously," said Senator Stephen Archambault, who on the Senate Judiciary committee voted down the Reproductive Health Care Act -- and pledged to work on a compromise.

“The agreement we have reached, which is reflected in this legislation, accomplishes the goals I’ve had since the beginning of this process. It codifies Roe V. Wade, protecting a woman’s right to choose, and at the same time, puts in place safeguards that limit later-term, post-viability abortions," said Archambault. “I commend Chairwoman Lynch Prata for her principled and wise leadership and demonstrated commitment to reaching common ground.”

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

The Rhode Island Coalition for Reproductive Freedom thanked the Senate HHS members who voted for the measure on Thursday. 

"The Coalition is grateful to the Committee for their diligence in hearing the Sub B as presented by Judiciary Chair Erin Lynch Prata and for recognizing that abortion is, in fact, healthcare. We thank Chairman Josh Miller and Senators Gayle Goldin, Donna Nesselbush, Elizabeth Crowley, Bridget Valverde, Val Lawson, James Sheehan and Adam Satchell for their votes this evening," said spokesperson Erich Haslehurst. 

"For years the Senate did not even hold hearings on bills that would protect access to safe, legal abortion— it is clear we have made significant progress in the Senate. With abortion bans passing around the country intended to make a Supreme Court challenge on abortion rights, the Rhode Island Senate is now poised to make history by passing the Reproductive Privacy Act," said Haslehurst. "We call on the Rhode Island Senate to vote in favor of this bill and send it back to the House of Representatives for the final legislative step in this process to protect access to safe, legal abortion in Rhode Island once and for all.which we expect to head to the Senate floor next week."