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House Judiciary Committee Sends Reproductive Privacy Act to Floor Vote

The Rhode Island State House is located at 82 Smith St. Providence.
The Rhode Island State House is located at 82 Smith St. Providence.

STATE HOUSE — The RI General Assembly’s Judiciary Committee has passed the Reproductive Privacy Act enshrining the protections of a woman’s right to an abortion established in the U.S. Supreme Court case, Roe vs. Wade, setting the measure up for a vote on the House Floor.

The issue found Warwick Reps Evan Shanley, (D-Dist. 24), James Jackson (D-Dist. 26) and Camille Vella Wilkenson, (D – Dist. 21) at odds, with the latter voting against the measure.

Voting in favor of the bill were Committee members Rep. Robert Craven, (D-Dist. 32) Rep. Evan Shanley, (D-Dist. 24), Rep. Carol Hagen McEntee, (D-Dist. 33),Rep. Joseph Almeida, (D-Dist. 12) Rep. Dennis Canario, (D-Dist. 71) Rep. Julie Casimro, (D-Dist. 31) Rep. John Edwards, (D-Dist. 70) Rep. James Jackson (D-Dist. 26) and Rep. Daniel McKiernan, (D-Dist.7) , according to according to Rep. Teresa Tanzi (D-Dist. 34) who tweeted the vote Tuesday night.

Opposed to the bill were Rep. Blake Filippi, (R-Dist. 36) Rep. Arthur Corvese, (D-Dist. 55) Rep. Christoper Millea, (D-Dist. 16), Rep. Thomas Noret, (D-Dist. 25) Rep. David Place, (R-Dist. 47) Rep. Sherry Roberts, (R-Dist. 29) and Rep. Camille Vella Wilkenson, (D – Dist. 21)

Rep. Anastasia P. Williams (D-Dist. 9, Providence) introduced the legislation in January.

It also repeals several state statutes long-declared unconstitutional and provides updates to the state’s parental consent law to include adult siblings and grandparents.

“Enacting this legislation would send a clear message that, even in the face of threats at the national level, Rhode Island will stand strong in protecting women’s access to critical reproductive services and will remain resolute in ensuring a woman’s privacy in making her own health care decisions” added Representative Williams.

Other House cosponsors of the bill include Rep. 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).

Rob Borkowski
Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.

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