MADISON, WI — Today, Sen. Kelda Roys (D-Madison) and Rep. Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) introduced legislation to restore abortion access in Wisconsin.
Since Roe v. Wade was overturned on June 24, 2022, Wisconsinites have been largely unable to access abortion care in the state due to archaic statutory language from 1849 that criminalized virtually all abortions. Despite abortion being heavily regulated over the last 50 years, Wisconsinites were guaranteed the legal right to abortion under Roe until last summer. Today’s legislation simply restores access to abortion as it was prior to the Dobbs decision, by repealing the 1849 language.
Abortion is basic healthcare that must be available safely to anyone who needs it. No physician or healthcare provider should fear prosecution and imprisonment for providing necessary medical care to patients.
State Senator Kelda Roys issued the following statement upon introduction of her Restore Roe bill:
“Women – not politicians – are the only ones who should make decisions about their bodies, lives, and health. Abortion is common, safe, and not controversial – Wisconsinites overwhelmingly want to see their rights restored to what they were under Roe v. Wade. We cannot afford to make Wisconsin even more hostile to health care providers and pregnant people if we want our state to thrive.
“Everyone loves someone who will need an abortion, and no one should be treated like a criminal when they do.”
