Pro-Choice Leaders Urge Maryland Senators to Pass Emergency Contraception Legislation

Annapolis, Maryland -- Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, urged Maryland state legislators to pass legislation that would increase women's access to emergency contraception (EC) in the state. 

Keenan joined Ariana Kelly, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland, and State Sen. Sharon Grosfeld at a press conference near the state capitol building to support the senator's bill, which would allow pharmacists to provide women with EC (also known as the "morning-after pill") without a doctor's prescription.  The Senate is expected to vote on the bill this evening. 

"Sen. Grosfeld's pharmacy access bill is a chance for Maryland to show unity behind commonsense measures, in contrast to the divisive attacks on women's freedom and privacy like those that we have seen in South Dakota and other states across the country," said Keenan. "Maryland was the first state to require insurance companies to cover women's birth control.  Today, it has another opportunity to take a stand in support of the values of freedom and responsibility."

"We know that EC is safe, effective and could reduce the number of unintended pregnancies each year by half," said Kelly.  "Sen. Grosfeld has been fighting for women across this state for years.  Maryland women are waiting for their legislators to join the fight and pass this commonsense bill."

Grosfeld's bill, which passed out of committee and is expected to be voted on by the full Senate this evening, would allow pharmacists to choose to provide women with emergency contraception without a doctor's prescription upon completion of a training program.  EC is safe, effective, simple to use, and is most effective at preventing pregnancy if taken within 72 hours after intercourse.

If Maryland were to enact this bill, it would be the ninth state to give pharmacists the opportunity to provide women with expanded access to EC, joining Alaska, California, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico and Washington.  A similar bill is pending the governor's approval in Vermont.

NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland Contact:
Ariana Kelly, NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland 301.565.4154

Contact:
Ted Miller, 202.973.3032