For Immediate Release
January 21, 2019
Contact: Katherine Levasseur
(802) 828-2245
VERMONT HOUSE GIVES FINAL APPROVAL TO H.57 PRESERVING WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
Montpelier, VT - The Vermont House of Representatives gave final approval to H.57, “an act relating to preserving the right to abortion,” today on a vote of 106-36.
“I believe that whether, when, and how a person becomes a parent is a deeply personal decision and that decisions about pregnancy should remain between a woman and her health care professional,” said House Speaker Mitzi Johnson (D-South Hero). “This bill codifies and preserves Vermont women’s access to abortion. Preserving this right is critical as there are no laws on the books protecting or restricting this right. Today’s vote is the first step in ensuring the next generation of Vermont women have the same access to reproductive and abortion care that Vermont women have had for the last 46 years.”
“When women are able to control their reproductive decisions, they are able to make their own decisions about their participation in the workforce, in their communities, and Vermont is stronger for it,” added House Human Services Committee Chair, Representative Ann Pugh (D-South Burlington). “This bill is critical and I am proud to support it.”
“This bill codifies current state of Vermont practice, which has no restrictions on a woman’s access to reproductive healthcare services, including abortion,” said House Judiciary Committee Chair, Representative Maxine Grad (D-Moretown). “It ensures that women’s access to abortion remains unconstrained by the law and gives women certainty under the law.”
House Majority Leader, Representative Jill Krowinski (D-Burlington) added, “I trust Vermonters to have the freedom to make their own choices, and once someone has made the important and very personal decision to have an abortion, it’s not for politicians to interfere. I believe we must promote people’s health and well-being, not impose our beliefs on others.”
The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
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