Attorney General Neronha applauds RI Supreme Court decision to uphold constitutionality of Reproductive Privacy Act

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha issued the following statement addressing the Rhode Island Supreme Court’s decision in Benson v. State that upholds the constitutionality of Rhode Island’s Reproductive Privacy Act:

“I applaud today’s decision by the Rhode Island Supreme Court to uphold the constitutionality of our state’s Reproductive Privacy Act at a critical moment as our country contemplates the future of reproductive freedom.

“In 2019, I was proud to play a key role in our state’s codification of the important reproductive health care freedoms established by Roe vs. Wade and its progeny. We have now successfully defended the Reproductive Privacy Act against a meritless legal challenge that our Supreme Court dismissed today.

“The passage of the Reproductive Privacy Act and its continued viability ensures, during an uncertain national climate, that Rhode Island will not return to the days of illegal and unsafe abortions that put the lives of women in danger and created criminal liability for physicians.”