Editor’s note. The following comes from Rhode Island Right to Life. The specific information how to contact Rhode Island state Representatives is found here.
The Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a hearing on two EXTREME New York style abortion expansion bills ( 2019 — H 5125 and 2019 — H 5127 ) for Tuesday, January 29, beginning sometime after 4 pm and going late into the evening.
In order to stop these bills, an IMMEDIATE and MASSIVE pro-life OUTCRY is CRITICAL. We need you to (1) email your State Representative, and then to (2) call your State Representative, and then to (3) attend Tuesday’s hearing.
According to expert legal analysis:
“Both H 5127 and H 5125 would:
- Eliminate any constitutional restrictions on late-term abortions
- Eliminate any constitutional restrictions on methods of abortion
- Undermine the authority of the State and the Department of Health from enacting and adopting constitutional restrictions on the performance of abortions at facilities where abortions are performed
- Require the State to pay for all abortions sought by Medicaid-eligible pregnant women and women covered by the “payer of last Resort” program
“In addition, H 5127 would:
- Repeal existing constitutional protection for a viable unborn child from criminal assaults on the child’s mother
“and H 5125 would
- Substantially “water down” the State’s parental consent statute by allowing consent to be obtained from persons who have no constitutional right to give consent (grandparents and adult siblings)
“Neither H 5127 nor H 5125 could plausibly be regarded as merely “codifying” the principles of Roe v. Wade.”
Any hope of defeating these bills requires a VERY LARGE TURNOUT for the hearings. Parking is available at the Providence Place Mall in addition to ample street side parking in the vicinity of the State House.
PLEASE URGE FAMILY, FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES TO JOIN YOU in taking these 3 immediate actions: (1) email your State Representative, (2) call your State Representative, (3) attend Tuesday’s hearing.
As noted at the beginning, Rhode Islanders should go here for information about composing your response and sending it along.
On January 29, Rhode Island will hold public hearings on proposed abortion legislation modeled after New York’s Reproductive Health Act. These bills aim to codify and expand abortion rights within the state, eliciting significant public interest and debate.
Overview of the Proposed Legislation
The proposed bills in Rhode Island are inspired by New York’s Reproductive Health Act, which was enacted in January 2019. These bills seek to:
- Codify Roe v. Wade: Ensure that the right to an abortion is protected under state law, regardless of any potential changes at the federal level.
- Expand Abortion Access: Allow abortions after 24 weeks in cases where the fetus is not viable or to protect the life or health of the mother.
- Decriminalize Abortion: Remove abortion from the state’s criminal code, treating it solely as a healthcare issue.
Public Hearings and Legislative Process
The public hearings scheduled for January 29 are a crucial step in the legislative process. These hearings provide a platform for advocates, opponents, medical professionals, and concerned citizens to voice their opinions and present evidence either in support of or against the proposed bills.
Advocacy and Action Needed
Pro-Life Perspective
Pro-life advocates are mobilizing to oppose the bills, arguing that they:
- Allow Late-Term Abortions: The inclusion of provisions for abortions after 24 weeks has been a significant point of contention. Critics argue that these provisions could lead to more late-term abortions, which they view as ethically and morally unacceptable.
- Endanger Women’s Health: Some opponents claim that the expansion of abortion access might lead to insufficiently regulated procedures, potentially compromising women’s health and safety.
- Undermine Fetal Rights: Pro-life supporters argue that the bills disregard the rights of the unborn, advocating for the recognition of fetal personhood at various stages of pregnancy.
Pro-Choice Perspective
Pro-choice advocates support the legislation, emphasizing:
- Reproductive Rights Protection: Ensuring that women retain control over their reproductive health decisions, particularly in the face of potential federal rollbacks.
- Healthcare Integration: Treating abortion as a healthcare matter rather than a criminal one, which they believe will reduce stigma and improve access to safe and legal procedures.
- Addressing Medical Necessity: Highlighting that the provisions for post-24-week abortions are designed to address severe fetal anomalies and threats to the mother’s health.
How to Get Involved
Advocates on both sides of the issue are encouraged to take action by:
- Attending the Hearings: Public presence at the hearings can demonstrate the level of community interest and concern.
- Submitting Testimony: Written or verbal testimony can be submitted to the legislative committees to express support or opposition.
- Contacting Legislators: Directly contacting state legislators to share personal views and urge them to vote in line with one’s stance.
- Engaging in Advocacy Campaigns: Joining or supporting advocacy groups that align with one’s views on the issue.
Conclusion
The upcoming hearings on January 29 in Rhode Island represent a pivotal moment for abortion legislation in the state. The outcome of these hearings and the subsequent legislative actions will have significant implications for reproductive rights and healthcare within Rhode Island. Active participation from both pro-life and pro-choice advocates will be crucial in shaping the future of abortion access and regulations in the state.
Daniel Miller is responsible for nearly all of National Right to Life News' political writing.
With the election of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, Daniel Miller developed a deep obsession with U.S. politics that has never let go of the political scientist. Whether it's the election of Joe Biden, the midterm elections in Congress, the abortion rights debate in the Supreme Court or the mudslinging in the primaries - Daniel Miller is happy to stay up late for you.
Daniel was born and raised in New York. After living in China, working for a news agency and another stint at a major news network, he now lives in Arizona with his two daughters.
