Bills to protect abortion rights heard at public hearings Tuesday
.jpg "Abortion rights activists rally outside Washington’s Legislative Building in Olympia on Tuesday as Senate committees heard testimony on a package of bills aimed at protecting reproductive rights.")
A package of legislation on reproductive health was heard in Senate committees throughout the day Tuesday.
The proposed legislation comes months after the windback of national abortion protections under the Dobbs decision, which overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling last June. House and Senate Democrats announced plans then to enshrine reproductive protections, and both chambers have worked on versions of their own bills.
During the hearings several pro-reproductive health supporters gathered on the Capitol steps at a rally held by Pro-Choice Washington. About 75 people were at the event. Anti-abortion protesters stood away from pro-choice advocates as they held signs depicting dead fetuses.
Some legislators also joined the rally in between committees.
“Here in Washington we’re preserving reproductive care so our communities and neighbors are protected from attacks on their health and well-being,” said Rep. Darya Farivar, D-Seattle.
Five Senate bills had public hearings Tuesday, including:
A constitutional amendment
Senate Joint Resolution 8202 would amend the Washington State Constitution to ensure that reproductive and contraceptive freedom would be protected. It is sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, at the request of Gov. Jay Inslee.
Inslee spoke at the hearing in the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee on Tuesday and said that the proposed legislation is needed after 50 years of established precedent was overturned.
“What we considered fixed in the American constellation of democratic values turned out to be very fragile,” Inslee told the committee. “And we cannot be lulled into thinking that that same thing could not be the same case in the state of Washington.”
However, not all legislators agree this proposal is needed.
Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, sent out a press release after the hearing was over.
“As we saw during testimony today on this divisive and controversial proposal, 622 people signed up against SJR 8202, while only 325 were in favor of it,” he said. “Senate Democratic leaders should consider this strong opposition when deciding whether to move their proposal forward. I think most Washingtonians, even those who generally support abortion, would find this proposal too extreme and unacceptable.”
Prohibits cost sharing
Senate Bill 5242 is sponsored by Sen. Annette Cleveland, D-Vancouver, and would prohibit cost-sharing for abortions. After Jan. 1, 2024, health insurance companies would not be able to impose cost-sharing on patients.
The bill was heard in the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee and has a companion bill, House Bill 1115.
Regulates hospital mergers
SB 5241 is sponsored by Sen. Emily Randall, D-Bremerton, and would prohibit hospital mergers if that merger would create a barrier to access for patients.
The bill notes that hospital mergers must result in patients being able to access the same or better treatments for services such as “emergency care, primary care, reproductive care, end-of-life care, including services provided in accordance with the Washington Death with Dignity Act and gender-affirming care.”
Limits other states’ actions
▪ SB 5489 is sponsored by Sen. Yasmin Trudeau, D-Tacoma, and prohibits other states from taking legal action against anyone seeking reproductive services or gender-affirming care in the state of Washington. The bill also prohibits extradition of patients from other states who have received care in Washington. Additionally, the bill creates a pathway for patients receiving care to get civil relief if their rights are violated.
The measure is scheduled for an executive session on Jan. 26.
▪ SB 5260 is another proposal sponsored by Keiser that would allow employers who provide reproductive services in Washington to take legal action against retaliation from other states that have anti-abortion laws.
A similar version of this bill is being sponsored in the House by Rep. Liz Berry, D-Seattle, and also had a public hearing on Tuesday.
Legislators will have until Feb. 17 to get bills passed out of their committee of origin for continued consideration.
The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn April 23.
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This story was originally published January 24, 2023 at 2:00 PM.
