HARRISBURG, Pa. — State lawmakers are laying the groundwork to amend Pennsylvania’s constitution to protect abortion rights across the Commonwealth.
On Wednesday, members of the House Judiciary Committee held hearings about the recently introduced Reproductive Rights Amendment, or House Bill 1888. The bill mirrors a similar amendment that was approved by voters in Ohio back in November.
Supporters who spoke with lawmakers said the bill would protect reproductive rights from being stripped away by the legislature or the governor.
“These existing protections have been at the mercy of the Governor’s veto in Pennsylvania for too long," said Megan Orbich, who testified at Wednesday's hearing.
“I have had the enormous privilege of taking care of patients who need abortion care and their subsequent healthy pregnancies," said Dr. Sara Gutman. "[Those pregnancies] might not have happened if they hadn’t been able to access abortion care."
Opponents of the legislation, such as the PA Family Institute, argue that the bill would be harmful to Pennsylvanians. The organization believes that the legislation would strip current limits on abortion in the state.
“Not only would it overturn all the protections we have, even restrictions on late-term abortions, but it would prevent our ability in the future to continue to protect life," said Alexis Sneller, the policy expert for the PA Family Institute. “It’s bad for women, it’s bad for babies, and it’s bad for Pennsylvania.”
In order for the measure to be on the ballot, the bill will need to pass both the House and Senate, without any changes, in two consecutive legislative sessions.
A few voters who spoke with FOX43 said if the amendment showed up on the ballot, they would vote in favor of it.
“I hope the Commonwealth sees that women as a whole have a voice and that our bodies are our choice," said Crystal Penn, who supports the potential amendment.