{"id":2989,"date":"2022-12-22T14:46:09","date_gmt":"2022-12-22T21:46:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/keiserarchive\/?p=2989"},"modified":"2022-12-22T15:58:08","modified_gmt":"2022-12-22T22:58:08","slug":"constitutional-amendment-filed-to-protect-reproductive-freedom-in-wa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/senatedemocrats.wa.gov\/keiserarchive\/2022\/12\/22\/constitutional-amendment-filed-to-protect-reproductive-freedom-in-wa\/","title":{"rendered":"Constitutional amendment filed to protect reproductive freedom in WA"},"content":{"rendered":"

OLYMPIA \u2013<\/strong> At the request of Gov. Jay Inslee, Sen. Karen Keiser<\/a> (D-Des Moines) and Sen. Patty Kuderer<\/a> (D-Bellevue) have filed a constitutional amendment that would provide the strongest possible state-level protection for reproductive freedom.<\/p>\n

Senate Joint Resolution 8202<\/a> would enshrine in the state\u2019s constitution the individual right to make decisions about reproduction free of the interference of the government. It would protect the right to choose to have an abortion and the right to choose to use contraception.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor 50 years, the right to reproductive freedom has been the settled law of the land,\u201d said Keiser. \u201cAfter the U.S. Supreme Court\u2019s 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 Court\u2019s recent actions setting aside state laws is a signal that state statutes need the backing of clear and specific constitutional rights.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds supermajority vote in both chambers of the Legislature and approval by a majority of voters in a general election.<\/p>\n

The people of Washington have twice voted to protect abortion rights, first by passing Referendum 20<\/a> in 1970, three years before the U.S. Supreme Court\u2019s Roe v. Wade <\/em>decision, and second by passing Initiative 120<\/a>, the Reproductive Privacy Act, in 1991, codifying the Roe <\/em>protections into state law. As a constitutional amendment, SJR 8202 would provide a higher level of protection for reproductive freedom.<\/p>\n

The proposed constitutional amendment is in addition to a package of proposed legislation to provide access, funding and equity for reproductive services to all in Washington state.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the nationwide fallout from the Supreme Court’s ruling, one thing became clear: Washington state is a national leader in protecting the right to choose,\u201d said Kuderer. \u201cWe have more protections for providers and patients coming in 2023 to guarantee the right to an abortion remains safe and legal in Washington. We will remain a state that safeguards healthcare for all.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This summer, the governor announced that Washington, along with Oregon and California, was establishing a Multi-State Commitment to Reproductive Freedom<\/a>. The governor and legislators announced proposed legislative and executive actions, including, in addition to the constitutional amendment:<\/p>\n