What to Know
- New York lawmakers are poised to pass legislation codifying rights protected by Roe v. Wade and other abortion rulings
- The measure to protect abortion rights in case they are overturned b the Supreme Court
- The bill would also authorize physician assistants and nurse practitioners to perform some abortions
New York lawmakers are poised to pass legislation codifying rights protected by Roe v. Wade and other abortion rulings in case they are overturned by the Supreme Court.
The bill scheduled for a vote on Tuesday in the Assembly and Senate would also authorize physician assistants and nurse practitioners to perform some abortions.
Supporters say the bill is needed to update New York's 1970 law regulating abortion, which was written before the Roe decision legalized abortion nationwide. Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo supports the measure.
The 1970 law outlaws abortions after 24 weeks of pregnancy unless the pregnant woman's life is at risk. That conflicts with Supreme Court rulings authorizing late-term abortions when a woman's physical or mental health is endangered.
Opponents predict the bill will lead to more late-term procedures.
