A bill authored by Maui state Sen. Gilbert Keith-Agaran related to abortion rights passed by a 22-3 vote on March 7.
The bill, SB1 SD1, “Allows licensed physician assistants to perform certain abortions. Repeals the requirement that abortions be performed at certain locations. Clarifies that the State shall not deny or interfere with a pregnant person’s right to choose to (1) obtain an abortion or (2) if necessary to protect the life or health of the patient terminate the pregnancy.”
It also provides privacy protection for those seeking out-of-state medical procedures.
The bill was written in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and hand a woman’s right to choose over to individual states.
A press conference announcing passage of the bill was held at the Patsy T. Mink Monument at the Hawai‘i State Library. Mink was a staunch supporter of women’s rights from the classroom to the ballfield to the doctor’s office, as MauiTimes reported upon last year.
