Maryland 2023 Reproductive Freedom Bill Package
Support the entire package here:
Constitutional Amendment protecting the Right to Reproductive Liberty
Why we need the Constitutional Amendment protecting the Right to Reproductive Liberty and what it does:
Maryland voters secured the right to abortion in 1992. But each year, extremist legislators try to severely restrict access to abortion, or outright repeal the law. Now that Roe is overturned, we see extremist politicians both in Maryland and other states –taking advantage of the fallout to try and impose their will on our home. We must protect not only Maryland residents, but also their providers, and future generations. We can proactively ensure that the right Maryland voters ushered in in 1992 continues for decades to come.
What it does:
- Ensure every individual has the right to prevent, continue or end their own pregnancy;
- Send a clear message to extremists that abortion is health care, and health care is a human right;
- Remove outdated language to acknowledge the reality that women, girls, non-binary people and trans men all access abortion care;
- Provide the highest level of protection possible for a person to make and effectuate decisions about their own reproductive health.
Reproductive Health Protection Act
Why we need the Reproductive Health Protection Act and what it does:
Abortion providers, abortion patients, and people who provide monetary or material support to abortion patients and providers are under attack from legislation in other states. Texas’s “sue thy neighbor” policy under SB 8 has resulted in copycat legislation across the country, including criminal penalties.
What it does:
- Shield consumers, providers, and support individuals from extradition for abortion care provided in Maryland
- Prohibit Maryland agencies and law enforcement from assisting with out-of-state investigations of reproductive health care that is legally protected in Maryland
- Prohibit health occupation boards from disciplining a licensed or certified individual over out-of-state complaints for health care that is legally protected in Maryland:
Electronic Health Record Data Privacy
Why we need the Electronic Health Record Data Privacy and what it does:
Electronic health records (EHR) make it easier for your health data to be shared with all of your health care providers. This is mostly positive. If your providers have the complete picture of your health care, they can more easily coordinate your care. For example, your primary care provider can provide better follow up if they have access to your urgent care record. However, in the case of abortion, many consumers want to their records absolutely private, and for good reason. States like Texas and Kentucky may use this information to criminalize people who seek abortion care and their providers.
What it does:
This bill provides extra protection for reproductive health information in electronic health information exchanges. It ensures the state government protects personal information of patients and providers that may be stored in state databases.
Campus Access
Why we need Campus Access and what it does:
Without access to transportation and other wrap around services, health care is often out of reach of many students, including reproductive health care. At a time of their life when they face a higher rate of sexual assault and financial insecurity, reproductive health care must come to students if students cannot come to them. No one deserves to have their education career cut short because birth control, emergency contraception, STI treatment and if necessary, abortion care, is out of reach.
What it does:
- Requires Maryland’s 4-year, residential, public institutions of higher education to develop a plan to provide or refer students to comprehensive reproductive health services, including abortions, STI testing and treatment and FDA approved contraceptives. The plan should also include wrap around services;
- Allows public higher education institutions to request assistance from the Maryland Department of Health in developing their plan if need be;
- Requires these campuses to provide 24/7 access to over-the-counter contraceptives such as condoms and emergency contraceptives;
- The bill does not mandate the college undertake additional expenses required to provide comprehensive reproductive health care.
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