Sponsor Statement for CSSJR 35 (JUD)

SJR 35 proposes an amendment to the Alaska Constitution to better guarantee the freedom of choice for all Alaskans and to restore the rights of individuals and hospitals that were stripped away by the Alaska Supreme Court on November 21, 1997.

SJR 35 proposes to place language similar to AS 18.16.010 (b) in the Right of Privacy clause of Alaska’s Constitution.

AS 18.16.010 (b) is part of the 1970 statute that legalized abortions and was supported by abortion rights advocate Representative Barry Jackson, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

In 1970, Representative Jackson stated the premise of subsection (b):

• The bill also provides that a hospital or person is not required to participate in an abortion and neither shall a hospital or person be held liable for refusing to participate in an abortion. This section was added to insure that abortion is a purely personal decision on the part of all parties to the abortion and to insure that no coercion may be applied to anyone.

House Journal Supplement No. 12 (April 9, 1970)

It is my strong belief that no individual or facility and/or its staff should be forced to do something to another person that they believe is wrong. Good public policy should seek to protect the rights and freedoms of all citizens as equitably as possible –- not just those of a select group.

SJR 35, if approved by the Alaska Legislature, will be placed before the voters on the 1998 general election ballot.

I ask for your support for the freedom of choice and SJR 35.