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6/19/2019
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Rep. Williams’ bill codifying privacy rights and reproductive freedoms guaranteed by Roe v. Wade passes General Assembly; signed into law
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 STATE HOUSE – Rep. Anastasia P. Williams’ (D-Dist. 9, Providence) legislation (2019-H 5125B) that codifies in state law the privacy rights and reproductive freedoms guaranteed by the United States Supreme Court in the case Roe v. Wade and its progeny was passed by the full General Assembly tonight and signed into law by Governor Gina Raimondo.
“I commend the General Assembly for sending a clear message today that we as a state will not cower in the face of threats at the national level and that Rhode Island will stand strong in protecting women’s access to critical reproductive services. Due to this bill, Rhode Island will remain resolute in ensuring a woman’s privacy in making her own health care decisions and we will not turn back the clock on decades of progress for female reproductive health equality,” said Representative Williams.
“It has been a long road to seeing this legislation passed and I am proud of the bill that was passed by the General Assembly tonight. I thank Representative Williams, all of the cosponsors, and the advocates and supporters who worked tirelessly to ensure that a woman’s right to privacy and proper reproductive healthcare is safe and accessible in Rhode Island,” said Senate Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Erin Lynch Prata (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston).
Representative Williams’ bill, the Reproductive Privacy Act, is a strict codification in state law of the rights guaranteed by the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade and subsequent cases. It expressly bans and prohibits all late-term abortions except when necessary for the life or health of the mother. If the procedure is determined necessary by a physician, the physician is required to document the medical basis for the post-viability abortion in the patient’s medical record. The bill also adds new language confirming the federal statute which bans partial birth abortion and affirms that partial birth abortion will remain banned in Rhode Island.
The bill’s cosponsors are Deputy Majority Whip Christopher R. Blazejewski (D-Dist. 2, Providence), Rep. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket), Rep. Jean Philippe Barros (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket), and Rep. Evan P. Shanley (D-Dist. 24, Warwick).
“We were all proud to cosponsor this legislation when Representative Williams introduced the bill and we are grateful for the General Assembly’s decision to pass this important piece of legislation that protects the freedom, privacy, and reproductive health of Rhode Island’s women,” said the House cosponsors of the legislation.
The legislation received the support of the Coalition for Reproductive Freedom, which is comprised of Planned Parenthood, the Women’s Fund, the ACLU, the Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and several other groups.
From the left: Sen. Gayle L. Goldin, Sen. Joshua Miller, Rep. Evan P. Shanley, Sen. Erin Lynch Prata, Governor Gina Raimondo, sponsor of the legislation Rep. Anastasia P. Williams, Rep. Edith H. Ajello, Rep. Jean Philippe Barros, and Rep. Christopher R. Blazejewski
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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