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CONTROL: New Hampshire Republicans limit reproductive choice with shocking new legislation by TY ROS
https://washingtonpress.com/2022/03/21/control-new-hampshire-republicans-limit-reproductive-choice-with-shocking-new-legislation/WASHINGTON PRESS
by TY ROSS
3/27/2022
A record number of state-sponsored anti-abortion bills have been introduced in legislatures across the country. Not shockingly, they are mostly in Red and Red-leaning states with Republican-controlled chambers. But one of the most controversial bills to be introduced as of late has been passed in what wouldn’t necessarily be considered a Republican stronghold — New Hampshire.
Though its current governor Chris Sununu is a Republican — his predecessor Maggie Hassan, is a Democrat. Both state chambers are closely split between the country’s two main parties. Republicans have a slight edge with 14 Republicans and 10 Democrats making up the state Senate. There are 207 Republicans and 188 Democrats in the House.
The GOP isn’t letting their slim majority go to waste.
In January, at least five abortion-related bills were introduced in the NH House — ironically, or not, all on the same day, January 5th.
Two of those bills, House Bill 1080 and HB 1625, were sponsored by the same GOP Representative, Mark Pearson, of Rockingham, NH. HB 1625 repeals a previous law creating a buffer zone of 25 feet between anti-abortion protesters. Known as “The Sidewalk Freedom of Speech Act,” it allows protesters to be in close proximity to both patients and staff at any health facility that performs abortions. It states that — despite being “controversial, unpopular and offensive” — anti-abortion rhetoric is protected by the New Hampshire Bill of Rights and is protected free speech.
Such speech consists of handing out pamphlets “in the advocacy of a politically controversial viewpoint” and “is the essence of First Amendment expression” according to the text of HB 1625.
HB 1080, however, goes farther than the scope of most anti-abortion legislation we have seen introduced in other states, giving physicians, pharmacists, and any other health care provider the power not just to perform, consult with, or refer patients for abortions based on religious beliefs, but also includes the power to deny, prescribe, advise, or consult on what the state calls “artificial contraception.
The Health Care Freedom of Conscience Bill, as HB 1080 is called, defines artificial contraception as:
“The use of a medicine, drug, substance, device, or surgical procedure to intentionally prevent ovulation, fertilization of a human egg cell, or implantation of a fertilized human egg in the uterine wall.”
This means birth control pills, intra-uterine devices, and in vitro fertilization.
But here’s the kicker — if a patient reports the physician, they can be sued for discrimination and become responsible for not less than $10,000 in damages plus attorney’s fees. Any regulatory body that takes action against such a physician can also be liable for damages.
HB 1080 prevents a medical licensing board from censure or accountability for refusing reproductive healthcare services.
I reached out to the sponsor of both bills, Representative Mark Pearson, at the number provided on New Hampshire’s official government website. Rep. Pearson answered.
Me: May I speak to Rep. Pearson?
Pearson: Speaking.
Me: My name is Ty Ross with Occupy Democrats. I saw that you are the sponsor of the recently passed HB 1080. May I ask you a few questions?
Pearson: Who? Who are you again? Who are you with?
Me: Ty Ross, with Occupy Democrats. I’m a journalist. I’d like to ask you about HB 1080.
Pearson: Ummmm, I don’t have time right now to go into that.
Me: Is there a time you will be available? I can call you back?
Pearson: Yeah, ummm, it’s been a long legislative session. I can’t really answer that right now. I don’t know…
Me: Well, thank you, sir, for your time.
Click.
More.............
https://washingtonpress.com/2022/03/21/control-new-hampshire-republicans-limit-reproductive-choice-with-shocking-new-legislation/
by TY ROSS
3/27/2022
A record number of state-sponsored anti-abortion bills have been introduced in legislatures across the country. Not shockingly, they are mostly in Red and Red-leaning states with Republican-controlled chambers. But one of the most controversial bills to be introduced as of late has been passed in what wouldn’t necessarily be considered a Republican stronghold — New Hampshire.
Though its current governor Chris Sununu is a Republican — his predecessor Maggie Hassan, is a Democrat. Both state chambers are closely split between the country’s two main parties. Republicans have a slight edge with 14 Republicans and 10 Democrats making up the state Senate. There are 207 Republicans and 188 Democrats in the House.
The GOP isn’t letting their slim majority go to waste.
In January, at least five abortion-related bills were introduced in the NH House — ironically, or not, all on the same day, January 5th.
Two of those bills, House Bill 1080 and HB 1625, were sponsored by the same GOP Representative, Mark Pearson, of Rockingham, NH. HB 1625 repeals a previous law creating a buffer zone of 25 feet between anti-abortion protesters. Known as “The Sidewalk Freedom of Speech Act,” it allows protesters to be in close proximity to both patients and staff at any health facility that performs abortions. It states that — despite being “controversial, unpopular and offensive” — anti-abortion rhetoric is protected by the New Hampshire Bill of Rights and is protected free speech.
Such speech consists of handing out pamphlets “in the advocacy of a politically controversial viewpoint” and “is the essence of First Amendment expression” according to the text of HB 1625.
HB 1080, however, goes farther than the scope of most anti-abortion legislation we have seen introduced in other states, giving physicians, pharmacists, and any other health care provider the power not just to perform, consult with, or refer patients for abortions based on religious beliefs, but also includes the power to deny, prescribe, advise, or consult on what the state calls “artificial contraception.
The Health Care Freedom of Conscience Bill, as HB 1080 is called, defines artificial contraception as:
“The use of a medicine, drug, substance, device, or surgical procedure to intentionally prevent ovulation, fertilization of a human egg cell, or implantation of a fertilized human egg in the uterine wall.”
This means birth control pills, intra-uterine devices, and in vitro fertilization.
But here’s the kicker — if a patient reports the physician, they can be sued for discrimination and become responsible for not less than $10,000 in damages plus attorney’s fees. Any regulatory body that takes action against such a physician can also be liable for damages.
HB 1080 prevents a medical licensing board from censure or accountability for refusing reproductive healthcare services.
I reached out to the sponsor of both bills, Representative Mark Pearson, at the number provided on New Hampshire’s official government website. Rep. Pearson answered.
Me: May I speak to Rep. Pearson?
Pearson: Speaking.
Me: My name is Ty Ross with Occupy Democrats. I saw that you are the sponsor of the recently passed HB 1080. May I ask you a few questions?
Pearson: Who? Who are you again? Who are you with?
Me: Ty Ross, with Occupy Democrats. I’m a journalist. I’d like to ask you about HB 1080.
Pearson: Ummmm, I don’t have time right now to go into that.
Me: Is there a time you will be available? I can call you back?
Pearson: Yeah, ummm, it’s been a long legislative session. I can’t really answer that right now. I don’t know…
Me: Well, thank you, sir, for your time.
Click.
More.............
https://washingtonpress.com/2022/03/21/control-new-hampshire-republicans-limit-reproductive-choice-with-shocking-new-legislation/
3 replies
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