Rep. Williams is grateful that RI women will still have the rights and protections of Roe v. Wade
STATE HOUSE – Rep. Anastasia P. Williams (D-Dist. 9, Providence) is grateful that Rhode Island women will still possess the rights and protections established under Roe v. Wade if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the historic decision.
Representative Williams was the primary sponsor of legislation (2019-H 5125B) that codified in state law the privacy rights and reproductive freedoms guaranteed by the United States Supreme Court in the case Roe v. Wade. The legislation was passed and signed into law in 2019.
“In 2019, opponents told us that this law was unnecessary, and today, I am thankful that the General Assembly was not persuaded by this empty argument and ensured that every Rhode Island woman will retain their reproductive freedom and rights into the future. We saw the possibility of this day and decision coming and we worked diligently to guarantee, maintain and protect women’s right to choose the best reproductive health decision for themselves and their families. My heart goes out to the women and families across the country who will feel and suffer from this horrendous attack on personal freedom and to Rhode Island women, I say rest assured that regardless of the Supreme Court’s ultimate decision, your privacy and rights to make your own reproductive health decisions with your families and doctors will remain firmly enshrined in state law,” said Representative Williams.
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a case involving emergency abortions. The high court will hear oral arguments today on whether emergency rooms in Idaho can provide abortions to a woman whose health is at risk. Idaho's law makes it a felony for physicians to perform most abortions except to save the life of the mother. 
