On the third anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, Pennsylvania lawmakers are responding with a sweeping legislative effort to safeguard reproductive health care rights across the state.

Members of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus unveiled two comprehensive packages of bills, House Bills 1638 and 1640 through 1645, and Senate Bills 881 through 887, aimed at protecting both patients and providers of legal abortion services within Pennsylvania.

“We cannot solely rely on courts to decide women’s rights, and we will not tolerate attempts to criminalize women’s health care in our commonwealth,” said Rep. Mary Jo Daley (D-Montgomery), co-chair of the Women’s Health Caucus. “Abortion care is legal in Pennsylvania, and it must always remain so.”

The new legislation reflects more than three years of consultation and work following the 2022 Dobbs ruling.

Lawmakers said these bills are necessary to ensure Pennsylvania remains a safe haven for reproductive freedom in a post-Roe era where 16 states now impose full or partial abortion bans.

Key Protections in the Bills Include:

   •Shielding reproductive health care records from civil or criminal disclosure in Pennsylvania.

   •Barring insurance companies from retaliating against providers serving out-of-state abortion patients.

   •Prohibiting Pennsylvania courts and officials from cooperating with out-of-state abortion-related prosecutions.

   •Safeguarding abortion providers’ home addresses from public release.

   •Preventing Pennsylvania courts from enforcing out-of-state judgments in abortion-related cases.

   •Directing health licensing boards not to sanction providers who treat out-of-state patients.

   •Allowing prescription privacy by listing practices instead of individual physician names on abortion medication labels.

“This package of bills is about ensuring that people seeking reproductive health care in Pennsylvania can do so safely,” said Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks), Women’s Health Caucus co-chair. “And that providers can continue offering care without unnecessary fear or interference.”

Supporters say the urgency for legal protections has intensified following a recent Texas court ruling that stripped away certain federal privacy safeguards for patients who seek abortion or gender-affirming care.

“We must take action to protect our medical professionals,” said Rep. Melissa Shusterman (D-Chester), a bill sponsor. “Without this assurance, we risk losing providers.”

Caucus leaders noted that abortion restrictions disproportionately harm low-income individuals and women of color, who already face systemic barriers to health care.

“Now is the time to defend fundamental rights,” said Sen. Amanda Cappelletti (D-Montgomery/Delaware). “Every person deserves the freedom to make their own health care decisions without shame, fear, or government interference.”

The lawmakers are calling for swift passage of the bills to solidify Pennsylvania’s role as a safe and legally protected state for reproductive care.