summary
Introduced
03/25/2025
03/25/2025
In Committee
03/26/2025
03/26/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT TO REMOVE BARRIERS AND GAIN ACCESS TO ABORTION AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH (RIGHT TO REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM ACT). Whereas, the ability to access safe and legal abortion is a critical component of a patient's health and dignity, as well as independence, freedom, and equality; and Whereas, throughout pregnancy, patients must be able to make their own health care decisions with the advice of health care professionals they trust and without government interference; and Whereas, North Carolina has limited access to abortion services by enacting a growing number of hurdles, restrictions, and requirements that serve no medical purpose and are intended to make it more difficult for patients to access health care; and Whereas, the impact of abortion restrictions is predominantly felt by those who already experience systemic barriers to health care, including young people, people of color, those with disabilities, individuals with low incomes, and those who live in rural areas or are undocumented; Now, therefore,
AI Summary
This bill aims to codify the abortion protections previously established by the Supreme Court cases Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey in North Carolina law. The bill establishes that the state cannot impose an "undue burden" (defined as a substantial obstacle) on a person's ability to terminate a pregnancy before fetal viability, and allows the state to restrict abortions after fetal viability only if the termination is necessary to preserve the life or health of the pregnant person. The bill expands the definition of who can perform abortion-related medical services, extending limited immunity and medical emergency exceptions to physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse midwives. It removes previous restrictions on abortion coverage in state health plans, county and city employee insurance, and eliminates several existing laws that limited abortion access. The bill also updates the definition of abortion to be more comprehensive and removes previous statutory language that defined abortion-related terms. Notably, the bill includes a provision that nothing in the act shall affect existing conscience protection laws, allowing healthcare providers to opt out of performing procedures that conflict with their personal beliefs.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (33)
Deb Butler (D)*,
Aisha Dew (D)*,
Julia Greenfield (D)*,
Julie Von Haefen (D)*,
Eric Ager (D),
Vernetta Alston (D),
Amber Baker (D),
Cynthia Ball (D),
Mary Belk (D),
Gloristine Brown (D),
Kanika Brown (D),
Allen Buansi (D),
Laura Budd (D),
Becky Carney (D),
Tracy Clark (D),
Carla Cunningham (D),
Allison Dahle (D),
Pricey Harrison (D),
Zack Hawkins (D),
Beth Helfrich (D),
Monika Johnson-Hostler (D),
Ya Liu (D),
Carolyn Logan (D),
Tim Longest (D),
Nasif Majeed (D),
Marcia Morey (D),
Rodney Pierce (D),
Lindsey Prather (D),
Renée Price (D),
Robert Reives (D),
James Roberson (D),
Phil Rubin (D),
Brian Turner (D),
Last Action
Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (on 03/26/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H509 |
| BillText | https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/House/PDF/H509v1.pdf |
| BillText | https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/House/PDF/H509v0.pdf |
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