CT Abortion Rights Bill: 5 Things To Know

CONNECTICUT — The state House passed a bill that would expand abortion access and provide legal protections to patients and doctors from other state abortion laws.

Gov. Ned Lamont has signaled his support for the bill. It now heads to the state Senate for consideration.

Here is what to know about the bill:

Where does abortion stand in Connecticut if Roe v. Wade is overturned?

Connecticut passed a law in 1990 that makes it a pregnant woman’s decision to terminate a pregnancy before the viability of a fetus after consultation with a physician.

A separate bill proposal would make abortion a right under the state’s constitution.

What sparked the bill?

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on a case that could overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that gave a constitutional right to abortions. The decision would then fall to individual states, and about half would severely curtail abortion access, according to Vox.

Texas passed a law last year that essentially creates a bounty system for people to report anyone who helps a Texas woman obtain an abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy, according to the Texas Tribune.

Connecticut legal protections

The Connecticut bill would limit the governor’s discretion to extradite people accused of crimes in another state. Extradition would only be possible if a crime alleged by another state would also be a crime under Connecticut law, according to the Office of Legislative Research. It wouldn’t apply to federal law.

Rep. Matt Blumenthal (D-Stamford), vice chair of the legislative judiciary committee, said the bill would provide legal protections to people who come to Connecticut for abortion procedures, according to CT News Junkie. Some states, such as Texas, passed laws that extend beyond their borders, he said.

The bill also limits the assistance Connecticut courts, state agencies and certain health care providers can provide for out-of-state judicial actions.

Expanded abortion access

The bill would allow physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses and nurse-midwives to perform aspiration abortions in the first trimester.

Connecticut would join 14 other states that allow the procedure to be performed by such medical professionals, according to the Hartford Courant.

Vote tally

The bill passed the House 87-60 with mostly Democrats supporting and Republicans opposing, but there were a number of exceptions. Fourteen Democrats voted against it and seven Republicans were in favor, according to the CT Mirror.

Republican lieutenant governor candidate Rep. Laura Devlin (R-Fairfield) voted in favor. Rep. Trenee McGee (D-West Haven) voted against the bill and said that Black girls are taught that abortion is another birth control method.