NM Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice 2013 Legislative Report
The Religious Coalition is a non-profit, non-partisan education and advocacy organization of religious and religiously affiliated groups working together to preserve the individual’s right to reproductive choice, free from government interference or coercion, and religious freedom for all Americans. While theologically diverse, Religious Coalition members are unified in their commitment to safeguarding reproductive choice as an element of religious liberty and appreciate the opportunity to consult and work together on issues of common interest. Coalition membership does not require or imply conformity to all the actions and initiatives of the Coalition. Each denomination and group is free to express its own opinions and beliefs on any topic. However, the member groups appreciate and support the value of working together for shared values of justice, tolerance, and religious freedom. Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice 1413 K Street NW, 14th Floor Washington, D.C. 20005 (202)628.7700
Conservative Judaism Rabbinical Assembly United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Women’s League for Conservative Judaism Episcopal Church
Ethical Culture American Ethical Union National Service Conference Humanist Judaism Society for Humanistic Judaism Presbyterian Church (USA) Reconstructionist Judaism Jewish Reconstructionist Federation Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association Reform Judaism Central Conference of American Rabbis North American Federation of Temple Youth Union for Reform Judaism Women of Reform Judaism, The Federation of Temple Sisterhoods Women’s Rabbinic Network of Central Conference of American Rabbis
United Church of Christ United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society, United Methodist Church General Board of Global Ministries, Women’s Division, United Methodist Church Unitarian Universalist Unitarian Universalist Association Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation Young Religious Unitarian Universalists Continental Unitarian Universalist Young Adult Network Caucuses/Organizations American Jewish Committee American Jewish Congress Anti-Defamation League Catholics for Choice Christian Lesbians Out (CLOUT) Church of the Brethren Women's Caucus Disciples for Choice Episcopal Urban Caucus Episcopal Women’s Caucus Hadassah, WZOA Jewish Women International Lutheran Women’s Caucus Methodist Federation for Social Action NA’AMAT USA National Council of Jewish Women Presbyterians Affirming Reproductive Options (PARO) Women’s American ORT YWCA of the USA
California Mary Larson 817 W. 34th Street Los Angeles, CA 90089 Phone: (213) 748-0200
[email protected] http://Californiarcrc.org Colorado Betty Serotta P.O. Box 370414 Denver, CO 80237 Phone & Fax: (303) 7569996
[email protected] www.corcrc.org Connecticut Kate Lannamann P.O. Box 477 Old Greenwich, CT 06870 Phone: (203) 769-5374
[email protected] www.rcrc-ct.org Florida Dorothy Chaney
[email protected] Phone: (202) 628-7700
Illinois Rev. Ed Searl C/O Unitarian Universalist Church of Hinsdale 17 W. Maple St, Hinsdale, IL 60521 Phone: (630) 323-2885
[email protected] www.rcrcil.blogspot.com Indiana Sue Ellen Braunlin P.O. Box 723 Lafayette, IN 47902-0723 Phone: (317) 695-1025
[email protected] www.ircrc.org Kansas Diane Wahto 1912 Park Place Wichita, KS 67203 Phone: 316-265-6564
[email protected] Kentucky Carol Savkovich P.O. Box 4065 Louisville, KY 40204-0065 Phone: (866) 606-0988
[email protected] http://www.krcrc.org/ Massachusetts Rev. Jennie Barrett-Siegal 25 Columbian St., Weymouth, MA 02190 Phone: (781) 335-2545
[email protected]
Michigan Joy Whitten PO Box 739 East Lansing, MI 48826
[email protected] Minnesota Rev. Kelli Clement 122 W. Franklin Ave, Ste #303 Minneapolis, MN 55404 Phone: (612) 870-0974
[email protected] www.mnrcrc.org New Mexico Joan Lamunyon Sanford P.O. Box 66433 Albuquerque, NM 87193 Phone: (505) 890-1010
[email protected] www.nmrcrc.org Ohio Cathy Levy PO Box 82204 Columbus, Ohio 43202 Phone: (614) 221-3636
[email protected] www.ohiorcrc.org
Oklahoma Kelly Jennings P.O. Box 35194, Tulsa, OK 74153 Phone and fax: (918) 4816444
[email protected] www.okrcrc.org Pennsylvania Rev. Marvin Marsh 20232 Valley Forge Circle King of Prussia, PA 19406 Phone: 610-547-3438
[email protected] Rhode Island Rabbi Peter Stein Temple Sinai 30 Hagan Avenue Cranston, RI 02920 Phone: (401) 421-7820 X3999
[email protected] Texas Fred Campbell P.O.Box 3934 Austin, TX 78764-3934 Phone: (210) 416-7889
[email protected]
Wisconsin Cathy Thompson PO Box 2504, Appleton, WI 54912 Phone: (920) 319-4388
[email protected]
Reproductive Justice As people of religious faith and conviction, the NM Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice supports reproductive justice for every person. Our struggle for reproductive justice includes these core values: That families are created in many ways. That all families should have the resources to care for their children with dignity. That all persons desiring to be parents should have the right and opportunity to do so. That no one should be forced into parenthood, or into narrowlydefined parenting roles. That the sexual experiences of consenting adults are not open to government inspection, opinion, and legislation. That all persons have a right to privacy.
Reproductive Justice That all persons have a right to education and employment without discrimination based on gender, pregnancy, or sexual orientation or identity. That no person should ever be forced or coerced into contraception, sterilization, or abortion. That caring communities have a responsibility to ensure that all young people have access to medically accurate, comprehensive sex education. That all people should have access to all reproductive and sexual health information and services, including birthing options, contraception, sterilization and abortion. That all persons should be able to live a life free from violence, including physical and sexual violence, which prevents them from controlling their sexual and reproductive lives. That sexually transmitted infections are not a result of moral failure, and the best medical information, prevention, and treatment should be available to all. That sex is a glorious component of the human experience, a gift of the Divine, to be expressed with respect, responsibility, and joy.
Action Volunteer Clinic Escorts Drivers Homestay Hosts All Options Clergy Counselors Education Invite NM RCRC to your faith community. Convene a study group . Host a forum.
Public Witness Letters to elected officials. Reproductive Justice Advocacy Day. Marches, rallies, or other courageous public actions. Financial Support Sponsor the non-medical costs for a low-income woman needing abortion care. Make NM RCRC a line item in your faith community’s budget.
Advocacy NM Coalition for Choice Planned Parenthood, ACLU-NM, AAUW-NM, Santa Fe NOW SW Women’s Law Center Young Women United NM-ACOG Health Care for All Health Action NM, Voices for Children NM, Center for Law and Poverty, League of Women Voters, Lutheran Advocacy Ministries Many Others
Advocacy
Collect a special offering for NM RCRC. Donate your birthday or other celebration to NM RCRC. Make a regular donation to NM RCRC.
All volunteer 30 days even/60 days odd 3rd Tues in Jan.
House - 70 members 2 year terms Speaker of the House 38 Democrats, 32 Republicans
Senate - 42 members 4 year terms President Pro Tempore Lt. Governor – President of the Senate 25 Democrats, 17 Republicans
Interim Committees
HOW DOES IT WORK? Understanding the Roundhouse
Bill Used to propose and change laws
Memorial Used to express legislative desire or direction (no force of law) House, Senate or Joint Does not have to be signed by Governor
Joint Resolution Used to propose amendments to the state constitution Does not have to be signed by Governor Must be voted on by the citizens
Types of Legislation
HB Bill 206 becomes Law!
Bill Process
HB 206
House Governor Legislature can override veto 2/3 of each chamber COMMITTEE
1 COMMITTEE 2
COMMITTEE 3
Senate
3 days to sign or veto
Pocket veto: Governor fails to sign within 20 days
within last 3 days Gov. has 20 days to sign or veto
COMMITTEE 1 COMMITTEE 3 COMMITTEE 2
Anti-choice Bills HB 82, Unborn Victims of Violence Act. HB 82 was tabled by the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee on January 24, 2013. HB 177, Parental Rights Notification Act. HB 177 was tabled by the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee on January 31, 2013. HB 122, Woman’s Right to Know Act. HB 122 was tabled by the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee on January 31, 2013. HB 206, Abortion as Evidence Tampering. The sponsor withdrew the bill, it was never scheduled for a hearing. SB 291, Parental Notification Act, Tabled by Senate Public Affairs Committee March 8, 2013.
Bills we opposed HJR 4, Defining Marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Tabled by the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee February 5, 2013. SB 361, Repeal School Athletic Equity Act, Passed the Senate Education Committee, 2/22/13, tabled in the Senate Public Affairs Committee 3/4/13.
Reproductive Justice Bills HJR 3, Marriage Equality, Tabled by the House Voters and Elections Committee. HB 17, Dental Therapists Act. Tabled by the House Business and Industry Committee. HB 38/508, Termination of Parental Rights for Rape, Stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee, but will be considered by the Interim Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee for the 2014 legislative session. SB 313, Biomedical Research Act. Ran out of time on the House floor on the last day of the session 3/17/13. SB 43, Requiring Health Services for Pregnant Women. “Pocket vetoed” by the Governor April 5, 2013
Reproductive Justice Bills that will become law! SB 221, Health Insurance Exchange Act The Governor signed the Health Insurance Exchange Act on March 28, 2013! It goes into effect immediately. HB 216, Fair Pay for Women Act. The Governor signed the Fair Pay for Women Act on March 14, 2013. It goes into effect July 1, 2013. HB 300/SB 382, Excused Absences for Pregnant and Parenting Students, Signed by the Governor April 5, 2013. It goes into effect July 1, 2013. HB 304, Human Trafficking Remedies and Services, Signed by the Governor April 5, 2013. It goes into effect July 1, 2013. HB 658, Registration of Fetal Deaths and Certificate of Still Birth. Signed by the Governor April 4, 2013. It goes into effect July 1, 2013. HM 7, Equal Rights Amendment Ratification Extension, Passed the House of Representatives 2/14/13. No additional action is needed for a Memorial.
What to expect in 2014 Forced parental notification TRAP – Targeted Regulations of Abortion Providers Elections House of Representative Legislators Governor Secretary of State Auditor Attorney General
What Can You Do? Spread the Word! Forward our e-Newsletters to friends. Write an article for the NM RCRC newsletter of blog. Submit an Op-ed or letter to the editor on a critical reproductive justice issue. Contact legislators re: critical reproductive justice issues. Attend the Reproductive Justice Advocacy Day in Santa Fe each January. Speak at local marches, rallies, or other courageous public actions. Volunteer to host a low-income woman needing abortion care. (Albuquerque only) Donate your birthday or other celebration to NM RCRC. Make a regular donation to NM RCRC. Join our Anti-choice Watchdog Project! We need activists who will sign up to receive your local anti-choice groups newsletters and email alerts and then forward them to us. We also need activists who will go undercover and attend anti-choice training classes and meetings so that we can be prepared for anti-choice actions and events.
Join our Congregational Advocacy Program! A member Congregation is: A faith community that urges members to communicate and engage with elected officials regarding the critical reproductive justice issues of the day. A faith community that respects the value of potential human life while remaining firmly committed to women as responsible, moral decisionmakers. A faith community that believes the ability to make moral decisions— including about reproductive issues—is the very basis of an individual’s dignity.
Congregational Advocacy In this partnership, member Congregations commit to at least three of the following activities, preferably one from each section: Education Invite staff/board from NM RCRC to teach and/or preach in your faith community. Convene a reproductive justice study group related to your tradition’s scriptures or important texts. Host a forum with elected officials and/or on a critical reproductive justice issue. Public Witness Collect letters from members to legislators re: critical reproductive justice issues. Send members to Reproductive Justice Advocacy Day in Santa Fe each January. Help organize or attend marches, rallies, or other courageous public actions. Financial Support Sponsor the non-medical costs for a low-income woman needing abortion care. Make NM RCRC a line item in your faith community’s budget. Collect a special offering for NM RCRC.
New Mexico Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice PO Box 66433, Albuquerque, NM 505-890-1010
[email protected] www.nmrcrc.org @nmrcrc facebook.com/NMRCRC
