Urges Congress to call constitutional convention to consider reproductive health care rights.
The proposed constitutional amendment aims to establish a uniform standard for reproductive rights nationwide, thereby preventing a patchwork of varying state laws. By doing so, AJR207 seeks to ensure that essential reproductive health services, such as access to contraception and the right to terminate a pregnancy, are available to all citizens, regardless of their state of residence. This measure emphasizes the commitment of New Jersey to safeguarding reproductive freedom and aims to mitigate disparities faced by marginalized communities regarding reproductive health care access.
AJR207 is a Joint Resolution introduced in the New Jersey legislature, sponsored by Assemblywoman Andrea Katz. The resolution urges the United States Congress to convene a constitutional convention aimed at considering amendments to protect fundamental reproductive health care rights for all Americans. The resolution arises in response to the Supreme Court's 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which significantly altered the landscape of reproductive rights by transferring regulatory authority to individual states. This has led to disparities in access to reproductive health services across different regions of the country.
Notably, the resolution highlights potential arguments surrounding economic implications and human rights, asserting that restricting reproductive rights may have damaging effects on women and the economy. Proponents argue that such an amendment would not only reaffirm individual freedoms and promote gender equality but also address systemic inequities in health care access. While the resolution is positioned as a proactive measure for reproductive rights, it may encounter opposition based on ideological perspectives, particularly surrounding issues of state versus federal authority in regulating health care.