Amendment 2 - An act proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Kentucky relating to abortion.

Summary

Propose to create a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky to state that Kentucky's Constitution does not secure or protect a right to abortion or funding of abortion.

A "yes" vote supports amending the Constitution of Kentucky in regards to the right to an abortion, removing protections and funds for abortion.

A "no" vote opposes amending the Constitution of Kentucky, leaving the right to abortion intact.

Arguments

"Health care and the right to bodily autonomy are basic human rights... This constitutional amendment puts tens of thousands of Kentuckians' access to safe, legal abortion at risk, and inserts the government into our individual, personal health care decisions. Abortion is health care and is a core component of social and economic equality for individuals, their families, and their communities." - Tamarra Wieder, Kentucky state director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Indiana and Kentucky, in opposition to Amendment 2 (Learn more)

"This constitutional amendment is a blatant effort to take away Kentuckians' fundamental rights and prevent individuals from making the health care decisions best for them and their families... As Kentuckians continue to grapple with the deadly impacts of the pandemic and systemic racism, restricting access to abortion is the last thing politicians should be focusing on right now. This is another example of extreme politicians putting their personal beliefs before the people and their priorities. Planned Parenthood is committed to fighting for abortion access in Kentucky and across the country because every person deserves to access safe, legal abortion — regardless of where you live or how much you make." - Alexis McGill Johnson, president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, in opposition to Amendment 2 (Learn more)

"According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, "decreasing women's access to abortion will likely increase negative health outcomes and complications, including maternal and infant mortality." Kentuckians already suffer from a maternal mortality crisis, with a higher rate of maternal mortality than the national average — an issue that has been completely ignored by the politicians trying to force the constitutional amendment on the state." - Planned Parenthood Action Fund, in opposition to Amendment 2 (Learn more)

"The Kentucky General Assembly continued its years-long attack on reproductive freedom today with the passage of House Bill 91, a proposed amendment to Kentucky's Constitution to entirely deny the right to abortion care, even in cases of rape, incest, or life-threatening conditions. It would also enshrine an existing law prohibiting private insurance companies from covering abortion care.This amendment will likely appear on ballots in the next election. The ACLU of Kentucky will continue to work to defend Kentuckians' reproductive freedom.The government should never have the authority to force someone to remain pregnant against their will. The General Assembly will stop at nothing to push constitutionally-protected abortion care entirely out of reach, even for people whose lives depend on it. Passing such extreme legislation shows Kentucky lawmakers want to force their constituents to remain pregnant against their will, even if they are victims and survivors of rape or incest. At best, House Bill 91 will shame and ostracize patients and healthcare providers. At worst, it will cost lives." - ACLU-KY Policy Strategist Jackie McGranahan, in opposition to Amendment 2 (Learn more)

"HB 91 - Yes for Life! Kentucky's ProLife Constitutional Amendment has passed the House and Senate and WILL BE on the ballot in November, 2022! On January 22, 1973, in one raw exercise of judicial power, Citizens and the legislative branches of government were disenfranchised and the destruction of unborn children became legal. In one fell swoop, the abortion laws of all fifty states were struck down. HB 91 ensures that that the citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky are not disenfranchised by a rogue Court and that it is the legislature, your elected representatives, who make the law concerning the lives of our most vulnerable citizen, the unborn human child. Ky Right to Life is thankful for the commitment to life shown by House and Senate members in their support for and passage of HB 91. Ky Right to Life is also grateful for our prolife partner organizations and our prolife membership across the Commonwealth. I am sincerely grateful to the many people across the Commonwealth who responded in prayer and action, reaching out to their legislators to affirm their support for HB91 and their Yes for Life." - Executive Director of Kentucky Right to Life Association Addia K. Wuchner, in support of Amendment 2 (Learn more)

"Kentucky Baptists are grateful for the leadership of Senate President Robert Stivers, House Speaker David Osborne, Rep. Joe Fischer and their colleagues who allowed this constitutional amendment to move forward so the citizens of the commonwealth can let their views be known... We continue to pray for the day when legalized abortion, the greatest human rights atrocity of our day, will be abolished in Kentucky." - Dr. Todd Gray, Executive Director-Treasurer of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, in support of Amendment 2 (Learn more)

"HB 91 simply assures that no Kentucky court will ever be able to fashion an implicit right to abortion from the language of our state Constitution... There will be no Roe vs. Wade decision in Kentucky." - Rep. Joseph Fischer, in support of Amendment 2 (Learn more)

"This is the first step to restoring the balance of power between the legislative and judicial branches when it comes to abortion policy... It's an important preemptive move by our legislature to prevent another Roe v. Wade in Kentucky courts and, for that, we are grateful." - Richard Nelson, executive director of the Commonwealth Policy Center, in support of Amendment 2 (Learn more)

Measure Details