LANSING, Mich. (January 24, 2023) — Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor), Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-West Bloomfield), and Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) introduced legislation to repeal Michigan’s 1931 statute that criminalizes abortion care.
Earlier this year, Sen. Erika Geiss introduced Senate Bill 2, which repeals section 40 of 1931 PA 328, as part of the initial package of six bills that Senate leadership identified as priority legislation.
“Changing these statutes this term is a must, not only because it’s the clearest direction voters gave us in November, but because it’s basic decency to recognize the financial demands that we are currently experiencing are significantly different than those of previous decades,” said Sen. Geiss. “This is not only a reproductive health issue, but also an economic issue.”
The bill package to protect Michiganders’ reproductive rights includes:
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- Senate Bill 37, which would update the code of criminal procedure and was introduced by Sen. Bayer;
- Senate Bill 38, which would update the corrections code and was introduced by Sen. Chang;
- Senate Bill 39, which repeals Section 14 of 1931 PA 328 that criminalizes providing an abortion and was introduced by Sen. Anthony.
“Since the passage of Proposal 3 last November, these archaic abortion ban statutes have become even more irrelevant and we need to finally take them off our books in Michigan,” said Sen. Chang. “Abortion is health care, and it is critical that we make sure every Michigander who needs this care is able to access it.”
“I am proud to be working with my Senate colleagues on this vitally important package of bills that will protect the health and freedom of future generations of Michiganders. The decision to have an abortion is never political, it is always personal,” said Sen. Bayer. “These bills reflect the will of Michigan voters who turned up in historic numbers last November to protect reproductive rights.”
House members State Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia), State Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield), and State Rep. Stephanie A. Young (D-Detroit) introduced House Bills 4006, 4031 and 4032 in the Michigan House of Representatives earlier in January; these House bills are identical to the Senate bills.
“Roe was more than just a case about an abortion — it was a case about seeing women as equal, necessary, and critical parts of society. Roe gave women bodily autonomy, but it’s up to us — all of us — to demand, protect and defend it,” said Sen. Geiss.
“Last November, Michiganders sent a clear message: Access to reproductive healthcare is a decision between a patient and their doctor — not politicians,” said Sen. Anthony. “I’m pleased to work with my colleagues on this package to ensure that our state law no longer criminalizes abortion and instead complies with our constitution, which affirms the right to choose in our state.”
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