The Reproductive Health Act, S.5808 is a legislative proposal to liberalize New York’s abortion law. Its provisions include:

• The legalization of surgical abortion through all nine months of pregnancy, if an abortion provider agrees that a mother’s social, economic, or psychological health is precarious.  Current law allows abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy only if a mother’s life is in jeopardy (Article 125 Penal Law).
• The declaration that “the state shall not discriminate” against the exercise of the fundamental right to abortion in the “provision of benefits, facilities, services or information” of institutions. 
• This opens the door for state regulators, such as the State Health Department or State Insurance Department, to mandate support for abortion from any agency or institution licensed or funded by the state.
• The retraction of current requirements that require surgical abortions to be exclusively performed by licensed physicians.
• The establishment of abortion as a “fundamental right of privacy” in New State Law.  This precludes the possibility of any regulation being placed on the procedure including regulations such as informed consent.

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Educational materials may be requested and parish education presentations scheduled by contacting Jann K. Armantrout, Diocesan Life Issues Coordinator, at (585) 328 3210 or e-mail Armantrout@dor.org.