Legislation

The Reproductive Privacy Act preserves the status quo of abortion healthcare in Rhode Island, and ensures that the shifting ideology of the Supreme Court does not impede upon a person’s right to choose.

Legislation was introduced which sought to impose felony penalties against any person who assists a minor in obtaining an abortion in another state without the consent of the minor's parents or the courts.

Women nationwide earn on average just 77% of the wages earned by men, with that percentage dropping significantly for women of color. Legislation aimed to address the issue in Rhode Island by making it easier for individuals facing wage differentials to file a civil action against their employer.

Nationwide, have historically been charged more for the same health insurance as men - solely because of their gender - leaving women less able to purchase vital health care coverage. Legislation would have banned gender rating in Rhode Island regardless of any changes to federal law.

With the constitutional protections of Roe v. Wade hanging in the balance in light of a divided U.S. Supreme Court, many organizations, including the ACLU, made a major push this year to ensure the protection of reproductive rights for Rhode Islanders

These two pieces of legislation try to cover up their real motive behind a supposed “protection” for unborn children. Nevertheless, in reality both bills aim to undermine reproductive rights, threaten physicians, and enshrine into law the concept of “fetal personhood".

During the first week of March, the House Corporations Committee heard testimony regarding legislation to repeal the provisions of the general laws that currently prohibit health insurance coverage for induced abortions in policies covering state and municipal employees.

Currently, RI General Laws state that health coverage should include fertility coverage for married individuals. This year, legislation proposed would ensure that such coverage is extended to individuals who needed it no matter what their marital status is.

As is true every year, a number of bills were introduced that focused on limiting or protecting a woman’s reproductive rights. A pro-active bill would codify the principles of Roe v. Wade into law.