UPDATED: RI Senate Expected to Take Up Compromise Reproductive Rights Legislation on Tuesday

UPDATED: RI Senate Expected to Take Up Compromise Reproductive Rights Legislation on Tuesday

The battle over reproductive rights legislation in Rhode Island is coming to a head on Tuesday, as the Senate Judiciary Committee will be taking up the Reproductive Privacy Act approved in the House. 

The Committee is expected to be submitting a substitute bill to the original, after the committee voted down the Reproductive Health Care Act in May. 

The new version of the legislation is not publicly available yet.

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Pro-choice groups on Friday night activated their constituents.

“The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled the Reproductive Privacy Act for a VOTE this coming Tuesday, June 11. We need you to join us at the State House to show your support for the Reproductive Privacy Act on Tuesday!  Protect safe, legal abortion in Rhode Island, no matter what happens at the federal level. It's time to #LetitOut and #PasstheRPA!" wrote Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island and Rhode Island Coalition for Reproductive Freedom on Friday.

As GoLocal reported in May:

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted down the Senate version of the Reproductive Health Care Act. 

After Senator Stephen Archambault changed the dynamics of the politics on the committee when he blasted the sponsors of the legislation — and drafted his own — the votes lined up 4-5 to vote down Senate Bill No. 152 Sub A, which was introduced by Senator Gayle Goldin. 

Voting against the measure were Senators Archambault, Harold Metts, Frank Lombardi, Leo Raptakis, and Jessica De La Cruz.

Senators Dawn Euer, Mark McKenney, Cynthia Armour Coyne, and Senator Erin Lynch Prata voted for the measure.

The House version of the RHCA had previously been held by a vote of 7-2.

This article was first published 6/7/19 8:28 PM