Nevada lawmakers on Wednesday advanced a measure that would codify a “right” to abortion in the state’s constitution.
SJR7 would amend the state constitution to add a section that “guarantees each individual in this State a fundamental right to reproductive freedom; authorizes the State to regulate abortion care after fetal viability with certain exceptions; and prevents the State from penalizing, prosecuting or taking any other adverse action against an individual or entity for exercising the right to reproductive freedom or for aiding or assisting another individual in exercising his or her right to reproductive freedom.”
The Associated Press reports that the measure passed the General Assembly with a vote of 28 to 14 along party lines after passing the Senate last month. Lawmakers must pass the resolution again in 2025 in order for it to be added to the ballot for voters to decide in 2026.
Though access to abortion through 24 weeks is already codified into Nevada law, pro-abortion lawmakers want to go even further in promoting abortion in the state.
“SJR 7 ensures that everyone in our state is protected in the strongest possible way from ever being denied reproductive health care and from being prosecuted for addressing their reproductive needs,” Assemblywoman Daniele Monroe-Moreno said.
“Our state, among many other states, are being tested whether we stand up for reproductive and medical freedom for Nevadans,” said Democratic Assemblywoman Selena La Rue Hatch before voting for the resolution. “Decisions about our health care, especially our reproductive health care, should be between a doctor, a patient, and those they trust.”
Several Republican lawmakers spoke against the amendment, including Assemblyman Ken Gray, who shared that his own mother had considered abortion.
“If I weren’t here, my kids wouldn’t be here,” he said. “I cannot and will not view (abortion) as anything other than evil.”
Nevada Right to Life notes that as written, the amendment would allow abortion for any reason through all nine months of pregnancy. It would also eliminate parental consent, and offer no protections for women.
“SJR7 is poorly conceived, poorly written, and is an over-broad word salad that at best will keep Nevada Courts occupied for a decade deciding what it really means and at worst turn Nevada into an abortion industrial complex preying on one of the greatest tragedies a woman faces,” the group previously warned.
