Reproductive Health Resource Guide
On June 24th, 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, a 1973 Supreme Court decision that affirmed a constitutional right to abortion. This new ruling, known as Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, was a 5 to 4 decision stating that abortion is not a constitutionally protected right in the United States of America. Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr., Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, and Justice Clarence Thomas voted in favor of the ruling, whereas Justice Stephen G. Breyer, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Justice Elena Kagan, and Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. voted in dissent. You can read the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade here.
This guide will serve as a resource to educate University of Pittsburgh students about Pennsylvania Sate Senate and House Bills related to reproductive health. Please note that as the Pennsylvania House and Senate continue to convene these bills might change, and therefore, the information on this page might not be fully accurate. To ensure you have up-to-date information, visit the Pennsylvania General Assembly website.
Pennsylvania State Senate Bills:
Prime Sponsor: Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-Franklin
This bill, known as the “heartbeat bill”, would require a physician to “determine whether the baby has a heartbeat” before performing an abortion. If a heartbeat is found, this bill would prevent the physician from performing the abortion. On March 10th, 2021, this bill was referred to Health and Human Services[1].
Prime Sponsor: Sen. Scott Martin, R-Lancaster
This reintroduced bill would prohibit abortion solely due to an in-utero Down Syndrome diagnosis by amending the Pennsylvania’s Abortion Control Act. This bill was referred to Senate Health & Human Services Committee on January 20th, 2021.
Prime Sponsor: Sen. Amanda Cappelletti, D-Delaware
This bill would prohibit crisis pregnancy centers, which are organizations that provide prenatal services and counseling through an anti-abortion lens, from sharing personal information without the written permission of the patient. This bill was referred to Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee on June 1, 2022.
Prime Sponsor: Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Berks
This reintroduced legislation would require insurance providers to provide coverage for contraceptives and lifts pre-authorization requirements on certain contraceptives. On March 10th, 2021, this bill was referred to the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.
Prime Sponsor: Sen. Judy Ward, R-Blair
This bill would amend the state Constitution to stipulate that there is “no right to an abortion or funding for an abortion” guaranteed by the commonwealth’s constitution. This bill is now a joint resolution bill known as Senate Bill 106 (See below).
Prime Sponsor: Sen. David G. Argall, R- Schuylkill
This bill is a joint Resolution proposing separate and distinct amendments to the Pennsylvania Constitution, providing that there is no constitutional right to taxpayer-funded abortion or other right relating to abortion; further providing for action on concurrent orders and resolutions, for Lieutenant Governor and for qualifications of electors; and providing for election audits. This bill passed in the General Assembly last year (130 to 67 in the House of Representatives and 46 to 2 in the Senate), but needs to pass the legislature again this year before it is placed on the ballot for the voters of Pennsylvania to decide[2].
Pennsylvania State House Bills:
Prime Sponsor: Rep. Stephanie Borowicz, R-Clinton
This bill is similar to the “heartbeat bill” (Senate Bill 378) that would likewise prevent a physician from performing an abortion if a fetal heartbeat is detected. This bill was referred to the Committee on Health on March 15th, 2021.
Prime Sponsor: Rep. Kate Klunk, R-York
This bill reintroduces legislation that would prohibit an abortion “solely on the diagnosis of possible Down Syndrome.” The previous bill banning abortion on the basis of a Down Syndrome diagnosis was vetoed by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf in 2019. This bill was referred to the Committee on Health on May 19th, 2021.
Prime Sponsor: Rep. Donna Oberlander, R-Clarion
This bill would amend the Constitution of Pennsylvania to stipulate that there is “no right to an abortion or funding for an abortion” guaranteed by the commonwealth’s constitution. This bill was referred to the Committee on Health on January 20th, 2022.
Prime Sponsor: Rep. Timothy Bonner, R-Mercer
This bill would require that a fetus be given pain medication prior to an abortion if “the fetus is more than 12 weeks gestational age.” This bill was last referred to the Committee on Health on September 16th, 2021.
Prime Sponsor: Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester
This bill would codify Roe v. Wade protections into Pennsylvania law. This bill was referred to the Committee on Health on March 3, 2021.
Prime Sponsor: Rep. Mary Jo Daley, D-Montgomery
Like Senate Bill 1217, this bill would prohibit crisis pregnancy centers from sharing personal information without the written permission of the patient. This bill was referred to the Committee on Health on May 4th, 2022.
Prime Sponsor: Rep. Briam Sims, D-Philadelphia
This reintroduced piece of legislation would require Pennsylvania schools to teach “age-appropriate, medically accurate, comprehensive sexuality education to all grade levels.” It also proposes that state funds cannot be not used to health education programs that “withhold health-promoting or lifesaving information about sexuality-related topics, including abortion, HIV, sexual violence or human trafficking.” Submitted to the Committee on Education on May 5th, 2021.
Civic Action Steps:
- Vote. Check your voters’ status or register to vote here.
- Write to your lawmaker. Find your Pennsylvania State Legislator to voice your opinions about Senate and House Bills related to reproductive health here.
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Get involved on campus. Visit the PittVotes website to learn how you can get involved.
University of Pittsburgh Response:
“The University recognizes today’s Supreme Court decision will have wide ranging impacts across the country. Like many others, we’re assessing how it may impact our community members, and our focus, right now, is on our students and employees and their needs and questions.” – June 25, 2022.
Read the full article here.
Sources:
These are the reproductive health bills currently before Pa.’s General Assembly
Get the Facts on the “No Right to Abortion” Constitutional Amendment SB106
How a bill becomes law in Pennsylvania
[1] According to Pennsylvania State Law, once a bill is referred to a committee, the lead sponsors will meet with the committee Chairs to discuss the intent, build support, and ask the Chair to move the bill. During committee meetings, members can pose questions, share concerns, and members might introduce amendments to the language. If the Chair approves, the bill will be considered for a vote to move onto the next step in the approval process. That next step would be presenting the bill to the appropriate Chamber, Senate of House. It is important to note that a bill referred to a committee is the first step in the legislative process and does not ensure that the bill will become law.
[2] After a bill has been approved by the House and Senate in identical form, meaning all amendments have been reviewed and approved by both House and Senate, it is sent to the Governor. If the Governor approves of the legislation and signs it, the bill becomes law. Or, the Governor can take no action for ten days, and it automatically becomes law. If the Governor opposes the bill, she or he can veto it. However, it is important to note that Senate Bill 106 is a proposed amendment to the constitution, and constitutional amendments cannot be vetoed by the Governor. In Pennsylvania, amendments must pass by a simple majority in two consecutive sessions and then be approved by a majority of voters via a ballot question in a primary or general election.