A legislative effort to “safeguard the right to abortion in Vermont” is encountering increasing headwinds as opponents question the bill’s necessity, language and intent.
Eight days after HB 57 was introduced, the House Human Services Committee heard more opposition than support during two hours of testimony on Wednesday. Committee members have delayed a vote on the bill and scheduled a public hearing for Feb. 6 at the Statehouse.
Also, Gov. Phil Scott declined to support the bill as it’s currently written, though he did say he is “supportive of a woman’s right to choose.”
The abortion legislation has “a long way to go to get through the Legislature, so we’ll see where it all comes out,” Scott told reporters during his weekly news conference.
But Rep. Ann Pugh, D-South Burlington and House Human Services chairwoman, said there is “still forward movement” on HB 57. She expects a committee vote after next week’s public hearing.
“My understanding is that the majority of Vermonters support what is current practice in Vermont. And what this law does is to codify, or put in statute, what is current practice,” Pugh said. “If we need to make changes, that is what the legislative process is about.”