Governor McKee Signs Executive Order to Protect Abortion Providers and Patients in Rhode Island

The order protects patients traveling to Rhode Island for reproductive health services from prosecution, as well as the health care workers who provide the services.

In response to the Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade (the historic case in which the Court originally ruled a state law banning abortions as unconstitutional), Governor McKee has taken action to protect abortion providers and patients in the Ocean State. Citing the fact that more than 70 percent of Rhode Islanders have signaled support for a person’s right to safe, legal abortions, the Rhode Island General Assembly’s codification of local reproductive rights in 2019 and the anticipation that people from more restrictive states will seek services in Rhode Island, the governor signed the following into effect through Executive Order on Tuesday: 

1. Non-Cooperation in Investigations and Proceedings. Essentially, Rhode Island Executive Department agencies are prohibited from cooperating with outside states’ civil or criminal investigations into reproductive health care providers and their patients.
2.  Unavailability of Interstate Extradition. Rhode Island will decline any extradition requests from other states pursuing charges against those who perform or receive abortion services.
3. Protection of Health Care and Other Professionals. Rhode Island health care professionals will not lose their licenses nor be disciplined for providing or assisting with abortion services to individuals from out-of-state.

The document can be read in full here.

“Women should be trusted with their own health care decisions, and here in Rhode Island, we firmly support a right to choose,” Governor McKee said at the signing. “The executive order I signed today ensures that Rhode Island will continue to stand up for reproductive health care, especially in response to the shameful U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.”