Hawaii governor signs law further expanding abortion access, even for minors

Hawaii Governor Josh Green signed legislation Wednesday that will further expand abortion access in the state while protecting abortionists who violate out-of-state abortion laws.

Senate Bill 1 contains a number of provisions that further cement abortion rights in the heavily pro-abortion state, including the assurance that the state will not interfere in a woman’s decision to get an abortion and a provision that now allows physician assistants to commit surgical abortions during the first trimester, loosening the previous restriction that required abortionists to be doctors or advanced practice registered nurses. It also repeals the requirement that abortions must be committed at a hospital or abortion facility, a provision that was enacted so that women can legally commit abortions in their own homes with the abortion pill.

The measure also removes parental notification requirements, thereby allowing minors to get abortions without the knowledge of their parents.

Additionally, the new law codifies an executive order issued by then-Governor David Ige last October, which offers protections for women traveling for abortion and shields abortionists who violate out-of-state abortion laws. This order prohibits state officials from assisting in any extradition requests or subpoenas related to abortion.

“Women have a right to chose to have an abortion. Doctors, nurses, physician’s assistants, health care providers, have a right to care for their patients in the way that they think is the best for them in a private way for those in need. That’s what’s at stake here,” Green said during the signing ceremony.

Governor Josh Green

@GovJoshGreenMD

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Today I signed into law, bills to resolutely codify conditions under which felony prosecutions can be initiated within the State of Hawai‘i, and to explicitly provide stronger, clearer protections for reproductive health care services, and increasing access to those services.

1:56 AM · Mar 23, 2023

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Senator Joy San Buenaventura welcomed the idea that abortionists would want to move to Hawaii from states with more protections for the lives of preborn humans.

“To those noble physicians, I say, ‘E Komo Mai. Hawaii welcomes you,'” she said. “Because today Hawaii has shown that we will stand by our medical providers, that we will stand with our physicians, and that those who provide safe abortion and contraception — even if it’s just to offer advice to tourists — will not have to fear arrest, extradition, subpoena.”

Upon Green’s signature, SB 1 officially became known as Act 2.

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