Current Maryland Law

VOTE NO on QUESTION 1

1991 -- Maryland Freedom of Choice Act – Abortion for any reason throughout all 9 months of pregnancy
2021 -- Mental Health Access Initiative – 12 year olds may seek mental health care without parental consent
2022 -- Abortion Care Access Act – removed physician requirement, Medicaid and private health insurance providers completely cover costs, $3.5 million annual fund for abortion training
2023 -- Trans Health Equity Act – Nondiscrimination for drugs and surgeries for “gender affirming” care, including puberty blockers (minors included - adults do not need puberty blockers). Medicaid required to cover costs.

There are no Maryland laws preventing ADULTS from seeking and obtaining reproductive interventions.

• THE AMENDMENT TO THE MARYLAND CONSTITUTION STATES:

“That every person, as a central component of an individual's rights to liberty and equality, has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including but NOT LIMITED TO the ability to make and effectuate decisions to prevent, continue, or end one’s own pregnancy. The state may not, directly or indirectly, deny, BURDEN, or abridge the right unless justified by a compelling state interest achieved by the least restrictive means.”

• THE BALLOT will say (not required to match amendment language):

Question 1 - Constitutional Amendment (Ch. 245 of the 2023 Legislative Session)

Declaration of Rights - Right to Reproductive Freedom
The proposed amendment confirms an individual’s fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including but NOT LIMITED TO the ability to make and effectuate decisions to prevent, continue, or end the individual’s pregnancy, and provides the State may not, directly or indirectly, deny, burden, or abridge the right unless justified by a compelling State interest achieved by the least restrictive means.
[ ] For the Constitutional Amendment
[ ] Against the Constitutional Amendment

UNDEFINED TERMS (words not defined in the amendment):

Person - man or woman, adult or child
Individual – man or woman, adult or child

TERMS THAT INCLUDE ANYTHING WITH THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:

Reproductive Freedom ... Reproductive Liberty ... Reproductive Autonomy

REMEMBER – When the marijuana amendment was on the ballot, the wording defined who the individuals would be -- “Do you favor the legalization of the use of cannabis by an individual who is at least 21 years of age on or after July 1, 2023, in the state of Maryland?”

ALL REQUESTED CHANGES TO THE AMENDMENT REJECTED:

Replace person/individual with woman ...

Replace “reproductive freedom” with abortion ...

Include minimum age and parental consent requirements ...

Match ballot language to amendment language ...

VOTE NO on QUESTION 1