Democratic Party lawmakers say that the bill decriminalizes abortions and codifies Roe v Wade as a State Law, should it ever be struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court. It would also require insurers to cover contraceptives.
Critics of the Reproductive Health Act say the bill removes previously existing health and safety regulations for late-term abortions; others say it makes them available on-demand. The bill had been blocked for years by Republicans in the State Senate. Democrats now control the Senate and have already passed the bill in the Assembly.