Creating the World We Want: The Reproductive Health Act

It is clear that New York can no longer count on the protections afforded to women by the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. Although our state’s abortion laws were trailblazing when they were written in 1970, they do not ensure that access to safe and legal reproductive healthcare will continue in New York as Roe is further challenged. The Reproductive Health Act will strengthen New York’s abortion laws for the 21st century. New York’s current laws are OUTDATED and INADEQUATE

• New York laws fail to protect women’s health. There is no health exception in New York’s abortion laws. The Supreme Court has already weakened this long held constitutional principle, and we must guard against further erosion.
• New York laws still treat abortion as a crime. Abortion is legal in New York only because of exceptions in the criminal law. The right to an abortion must be the rule, not the exception!
• New York laws are unconstitutional. Old laws that have been struck down by the Supreme Court, such as the law that bans the sale of birth control to minors, remain on the books. Our statutes must be brought up to date.

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The Reproductive Health Act Guarantees that New York will remain a BEACON FOR CHOICE

• The Reproductive Health Act makes clear that women in New York have the right to privacy and the right to decide to end or continue a pregnancy, and ensures that abortion will remain legal in New York State, even if Roe v. Wade is overturned.
• The Reproductive Health Act will protect the right to abortion in the first or second trimester of pregnancy, in cases where the woman’s life or health is at risk, or in cases where the fetus has a fatal medical condition.
• The Reproductive Health Act ensures that when it comes to state regulations on abortion, women’s health will always be paramount.
• The Reproductive Health Act underscores that abortion is not a criminal matter, but rather, a health decision made by a woman in consultation with her healthcare provider.
• The Reproductive Health Act protects women’s health and safety by requiring that abortions be performed by qualified, licensed medical professionals.

Help create the world we want. Strengthen protection’s for women’s health and reproductive freedom. SUPPORT the Reproductive Health Act! To learn more about the Reproductive Health Act:

• Read the program bill.
• Read the governor’s legal memo.
• Read the NYCLU’s legal memo.
• Read an NYCLU op-ed on the Reproductive Health Act.