Health Care

Amended Reproductive Privacy Act earns RI Coalition for Reproductive Freedom support

Offered in the Rhode Island House of Representatives as an alternative to the Reproductive Health Care Act (RHCA) the Reproductive Privacy Act (RPA) was a weak cousin, not guaranteeing the rights to an abortion now protected by the United States Supreme Court ruling Roe v Wade should that decision be overturned. But all that has changed, as an amended version

Rhode Island News: Amended Reproductive Privacy Act earns RI Coalition for Reproductive Freedom support

March 1, 2019, 10:40 pm

By Uprise RI Staff

Offered in the Rhode Island House of Representatives as an alternative to the Reproductive Health Care Act (RHCA) the Reproductive Privacy Act (RPA) was a weak cousin, not guaranteeing the rights to an abortion now protected by the United States Supreme Court ruling Roe v Wade should that decision be overturned. But all that has changed, as an amended version of the bill, H5125 Sub-A has earned the support of the Rhode Island Coalition for Reproductive Freedom (The Coalition).

In a statement The Coalition writes:

“The Rhode Island Coalition for Reproductive Freedom is proud to support the Sub-A of House Bill 5125 — The Reproductive Privacy Act (RPA). The Coalition thanks Representative Anastasia Williams (Democrat, District 9, Providence) and the co-sponsors of this bill for their hard work and dedication. This bill both addresses concerns that have been raised regarding the original version of H 5125, and achieves the goal of protecting access to safe, legal abortion in Rhode Island no matter what happens at the federal level.

“Chairwoman Anastasia Williams and Representatives Christopher Blazejewski (Democrat, District 2, Providence), Karen Alzate (Democrat, District 60, Pawtucket), Representative Jean Philippe Barros (Democrat, District 59, Pawtucket), and Evan Shanley (Democrat, District 24, Warwick) have our gratitude for working with us to create legislation that advances reproductive freedom. The Coalition believes Chairwoman William’s bill addresses the concerns that have been raised by members of the House and Senate. We ask our legislative allies who cosponsored House Bill 5127, The Reproductive Health Care Act, to give H 5125 Sub-A their full support.

“The stated goal of The Coalition is to maintain the status-quo and protect Rhode islanders from the attacks on our rights by President Trump and his allies in Washington DC. H5125 Sub-A achieves this goal. We encourage the House to move this bill to the floor quickly and to pass it as written — without exception or amendment. We encourage the Senate to join the House and introduce their own Sub-A to match.”

“Tuesday, March 5, is a momentous day for reproductive freedom in Rhode Island. The Senate Judiciary Committee will hear S0152, The Reproductive Health Care Act, and the House Judiciary Committee will consider H5125 Sub-A. We look forward to a robust showing of support at the Senate hearing, and are eager to see H5125 Sub-A voted out of the House Judiciary Committee and to the floor for a vote by the full House of Representatives.”


The Rhode Island Coalition for Reproductive Freedom is a coalition of organizations, working together to share resources, build strategies and coordinate efforts to connect reproductive freedom with social and economic justice. RICRF protects and advances access to reproductive health care through advocacy and legislative action.

American Civil Liberties Union of RI ⋄ American Congress of Obstetricians, RI Chapter ⋄ Catholics for Choice ⋄ The Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health ⋄ Hope and Change for Haiti ⋄ Humanists of Rhode Island ⋄ Indivisible RI ⋄ League of Women Voters, RI ⋄ Medical Students for Choice ⋄ National Council of Jewish Women, RI Chapter ⋄ Planned Parenthood of Southern New England ⋄ Rhode Island Working Families Party ⋄ RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence ⋄ RI Democratic Women for Leadership ⋄ RI National Association of Social Workers ⋄ RI National Organization for Women ⋄ RI Religious Coalition for Reproductive Freedom ⋄ The Womxn Project ⋄ Women’s Health and Education Fund ⋄ Women’s Fund of Rhode Island