Democrats propose WA state constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights
The Olympian via Yahoo News
An amendment to the Washington state constitution to protect abortion rights has been pre-filed and could soon be voted on by legislators during the upcoming 2023 session.
Under the proposed amendment, a persons right to choose abortion as well as obtain contraceptives would be protected in Washington state.
Sen. Patty Kuderer, D-Bellevue, and Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, filed the proposal on Dec. 21 at the request of Gov. Jay Inslee.
For 50 years, the right to reproductive freedom has been the settled law of the land, Keiser said in a press release Tuesday. After the U.S. Supreme Courts radical decision to repeal that right, our state has a responsibility to step up and guarantee that every Washingtonian retains the fundamental right to choose when and whether to have children. The Courts recent actions setting aside state laws is a signal that state statutes need the backing of clear and specific constitutional rights.
The proposal follows the U.S. Supreme Courts Dobbs decision earlier this year, which overturned Roe v Wade. Roe had previously guaranteed a constitutional right to abortions in all states.