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).
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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