Senate Bill 1 says that the state will not deny or interefere with a person’s right to an abortion and prohibits releasing information about reproductive health care services. The measure also allows licensed physician assistants to perform certain abortions and shields medical providers in Hawaii from legal action from other states.
“It is imperative that we strengthen the state’s policy to affirm protection of the rights of individuals to obtain reproductive care,” Majority Leader Nadine Nakamura of Kauai said in a House news release Friday. “Today’s vote ensures the protection of our daughters, sisters, and our future generations.”
The high court’s ruling last year has prompted states across the country to take action, with Republican-controlled legislatures looking to restrict abortions and Democratic-controlled legislatures like Hawaii’s aiming to safeguard abortion access.
The bill has passed third reading in both chambers and now heads to Gov. Josh Green’s desk for his signature.
https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2023/03/lawmakers-pass-abortion-access-bill/
