What’s Next for Abortion and the Anti-Abortion Movement in CT?

The Reproductive Rights Caucus, a legislative branch led by U.S. Representatives Matt Blumenthal (D-Stamford) and Jillian Gilchrest of D-West Hartford, recommends that abortion providers in Connecticut be removed from other states where abortion is prohibited or severely restricted. We want to further protect you from the legal actions of Several states moving to restrict abortion have expressed a desire to pass laws allowing private citizens to bring civil lawsuits against those who willfully “facilitate or facilitate” abortions. is showing.

“There is a serious concern that practitioners here will be affected by out-of-state actions,” Blumenthal said.

This year, caucuses are proposing legislation to protect health care providers’ malpractice insurance and their licenses from frivolous complaints related to legal reproductive health care in Connecticut.

Blumenthal said the caucus is set to unveil its full agenda next week, which will include ensuring access to abortion care, including increased funding for programs that provide reimbursement for care. Includes bills focused on This includes increased funding for maternity, labor and care statewide, especially to address racial disparities in infant and maternal mortality, he said.

A Democratic group’s proposal to include abortion rights in state constitutions is not on the reproductive rights caucus agenda.

“I am now very confident in the protection of abortion rights in Connecticut,” Blumenthal said. “Constitutional amendment is not on the agenda or in the priority bill. Clearly, I support the idea that privacy rights, including the right to safe and legal abortion, should be included in the state constitution.”

Several Republican bills introduced during this legislative session require minors to obtain parental consent to have an abortion. Allows seeking court approval in “special circumstances”.

Republican Rep. Chaplin, Doug Duvitsky, the originator of several parental consent bills, said minors would not seek court approval, including facing threats of abuse if they sought parental consent to get an abortion. said it must be an extreme situation. Dubitsky envisions the minor initiating judicial proceedings with a social worker, police officer, or trusted adult in the community, but said such details are still being worked out. Stated.

“Kids don’t just walk into court and talk to judges,” he said.

The state’s existing counseling laws, which require minors to receive counseling before undergoing an abortion, are inadequate and do not replace parental involvement, Dubitsky said.

“Children, especially young children, do not have the experience or the ability to make life-changing decisions,” he said. “We don’t let them drive. We don’t let them smoke. We don’t let them drink alcohol. We don’t let them carry guns. They have enough information.” We do not allow them to sign contracts because we are not equipped to make appropriate decisions based on

Dubitsky also signed as a co-sponsor of a bill requiring parental consent for minors to receive “medical or mental health services,” including abortion.