Conn. lawmakers pass bill to be ‘place of refuge’ for abortion patients
Washington PostAPR 3 2022
The Facts
On Fri., Connecticut (CT) lawmakers passed a bill to protect abortion providers and receivers from out-of-state abortion lawsuits.
HB 5414 passed the Senate 25-9 after it cleared the House in a bipartisan vote 87-60 in April. It now moves to Gov. Ned Lamont for his expected signature.
The bill, titled the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act, comes in response to the Texas law that allows private citizens to take civil action against abortion providers. If sued for providing an abortion, this bill will allow the individual to countersue.
The Spin
Right narrative
This is an attempt to give refuge to abortionists who break the law in their own state. This could bring legal challenges in the future as it effectively allows Connecticut to bypass the legislations of another state.
Left narrative
This is a justified response to the draconian abortion bans that are intensifying across the nation. It is a novel approach that protects abortion rights and keeps bans within state borders.
