Maryland Enshrines Abortion Rights in State Constitution

BALTIMORE (AP) — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed a proclamation on Jan. 20, 2025, enshrining access to abortion into the state’s constitution, following the approval of Ballot Question 1 by voters in the 2024 election. The amendment, supported by 76% of voters, ensures the highest level of protection for abortion rights in Maryland, according to the Associated Press.

Despite the U.S. Supreme Court‘s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, abortion has remained legal in Maryland. The new constitutional amendment not only safeguards abortion access but also protects patients and healthcare providers from criminal charges imposed by abortion bans in other states. Additionally, it guarantees access to birth control.

“Since day one of my administration, I have made clear my support for a woman’s right to choose,” Gov. Moore said. “In November, Marylanders voted overwhelmingly in favor of aligning Maryland’s constitution with our values. This amendment ensures that future generations of Marylanders will have the same reproductive rights Marylanders have today—no matter who is in office.”

Gov. Moore has previously taken steps to protect abortion rights, including expanding access to contraceptive care in underserved communities and stockpiling reproductive health medication. In February 2024, he announced a $15.6 million investment to increase protections for reproductive freedoms. This included $10.6 million for the University of Maryland, Baltimore‘s Abortion Care Clinical Training Program and $5 million to increase Medicaid provider reimbursements for abortion care.

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown has pledged to continue protecting reproductive rights by establishing a litigation team to respond to any federal actions or policies. The passage of Ballot Question 1 comes as abortion rights remain a contentious issue nationwide, with 10 states voting on reproductive health measures during the 2024 election cycle.

Meanwhile, new research highlights the broader impact of abortion bans across the U.S. According to CBS News, thousands of Americans living in states with strict abortion bans are choosing to relocate. Two years after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 13 states with strict abortion bans collectively lost 36,000 residents per quarter, with single-person households being the most affected.