The House Committee on Human Services will hold a public hearing on Proposal 5, the amendment to the Vermont Constitution regarding the "Right to Personal Reproductive Autonomy" this Wednesday, January 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the House Chamber and on Zoom.
This is the amendment commonly referred to as protection for the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision regarding access to abortion. It is actually much broader, since it is intended to bar the state from interfering with abortion until the time of birth, while Roe v. Wade allows the state to protect an unborn child in the third trimester of pregnancy. It also extends to any other matter of "personal reproductive autonomy" but does not define that term, leaving it to the courts to define instead.
The Committee is scheduled to vote on the proposal on Thursday, the day after the public hearing. If the proposal is adopted by the House, it will go to a statewide referendum this November.
Members of the public wishing to testify may do so in person or by Zoom. Individuals can register to testify at legislature.vermont.gov/links/proposition-5-public-hearing. You must specify if you intend to testify in person or by Zoom.
To ensure there is enough time for everyone to speak, the committee is asking that remarks be no longer than two minutes. Testimony an also be submitted via e-mail to testimony@leg.state.vt.us. Please indicate in the subject line Proposal 5 Public Comment.
Please note if attending in person that masks are required for entry to any legislative spaces.
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