Maryland voters will have the opportunity to vote on a constitutional amendment next year to secure the right to abortion in the state. The House of Delegates voted in favor of putting the amendment on the ballot, following its approval by the state Senate. If passed, a simple majority of voters would be needed to enshrine the right to abortion in the Maryland Constitution.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in June to overturn the Roe v. Wade ruling has given states the power to regulate abortion. As a result, states across the country are either strengthening or restricting access to abortion. In recent months, California, Vermont, and Michigan have affirmed abortion protections in their constitutions. However, Kentucky voters rejected a ballot measure aimed at denying constitutional protections for abortion.
Missouri voters may also have the opportunity to restore abortion rights if constitutional amendments make it to the 2024 ballot. These amendments would safeguard abortion rights, protect pregnant patients, and ensure access to birth control. Currently, most abortions are illegal in Missouri, with exceptions only for medical emergencies.
In Ohio, supporters are collecting signatures to put a proposal for abortion rights in the state constitution on the fall ballot.
It’s important to note that Maryland already has laws in place protecting the right to abortion. In 1991, the state passed legislation to safeguard abortion rights in the event that the Supreme Court allowed restrictions on abortion. This law was subsequently approved by voters in 1992. Advocates argue that adding abortion rights to the state constitution would provide even stronger protection against attempts to restrict or eliminate these rights in the future.
Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans in Maryland by a ratio of 2-1. While a constitutional amendment does not require the governor’s approval, Governor Wes Moore, a Democrat, has expressed support for it, as well as other bills aimed at protecting abortion rights.
Apart from the constitutional amendment, Maryland lawmakers are working on other measures to protect abortion access. One of these measures seeks to shield patients and providers from penalties related to abortion bans or restrictions in other states. Another measure aims to ensure that public colleges and universities in Maryland have plans for student access to birth control, including emergency contraception and abortion pills. Maryland is already seeing an increase in patients from other states, including neighboring West Virginia, which recently passed a near-total abortion ban.
A new abortion provider is set to open in western Maryland this year to provide much-needed access to abortion services in central Appalachia.
Last year, Maryland lawmakers passed a law to expand abortion access, allowing nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and physician assistants to provide abortions with training. Governor Moore also released $3.5 million to expand abortion training in the state, reversing former Governor Larry Hogan’s decision to withhold the funds.
In conclusion, Maryland is taking significant steps to protect and expand access to abortion services, including a proposed constitutional amendment, various legislative measures, and increased funding for training. These efforts aim to ensure that women and pregnant individuals have the right to make decisions about their reproductive health.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
