HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced new actions Tuesday to protect abortion rights in the state.
Tong spoke outside his office and was joined by State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, State Rep. Susan Johnson, State Rep. Christine Palm, representatives from ACLU of Connecticut, the Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund, Pro-Choice Connecticut, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, and medical professionals.
The main message from the press conference: Legality doesn’t mean access.
“It is the policy and the law of the state of Connecticut to protect and defend reproductive freedom,” Tong said. “We are not fine, we are far from it.”
Tong announced that the state would participate in a pro bono Legal Assistance Abortion Hotline, a network of volunteer attorneys able to provide free legal assistance and representation to patients and medical providers.
The legal hotline number is 212-899-5567.
“I partnered with the Attorney General of New York who has set up a legal assistance hotline… Connecticut will now be a part of the hotline,” Tong said.
Abortion remains legal in Connecticut; those rights have been codified into state statutes for more than 30 years.
The state legislature passed another law earlier this year, protecting in-state medical providers and patients who travel to Connecticut from legal action, but Tong argues that's not enough.
"The fall of Roe was not the end, it was just the beginning," he said.
Tong also plans to appoint a new Special Counsel for Reproductive Rights, who will be tasked with coordinating their work with other states to oppose further erosion of rights nationwide.
Planned Parenthood said it’s seen an increase in patients traveling to Connecticut for care. In the last year, they had 75 out-of-state patients, some traveling upward of 1,500 miles.
“We fought too hard to get here,” said State Rep. Toni Walker (D-New Haven) Tuesday. “Women should be outraged by this.”
RELATED: Hundreds gather for reproductive rights conversation with Vice President Kamala Harris at CCSU
Tong's office has held a series of strategy sessions with advocates and legislators to look at gaps and weaknesses in our laws is also part of Tong's plans, including will flag several areas, such as privacy around pregnancy status.
“You can call [the hotline] if you need to know your rights,” Tong said. “It is an army of lawyers.”
In an election year, polls show abortion might not be top of mind for Connecticut voters. State Democrats are still trying to make it a priority though, Tuesday, hinting at the possible introduction of a federal abortion ban
"There is utterly no basis for the federal government to pass a federal ban on abortion, no right, no authority. It is utterly unconstitutional," said Tong. "If they try it, Connecticut will be the first to sue."
Tong also released a memo assessing Connecticut's abortion laws and a Know Your Rights flyer to address confusion and fear around abortion rights.
Connecticut House GOP leader Vincent Candelora released a statement in response to the new abortion rights protections.
"Sadly, state Democrats continue to weaponize the topic of women's reproductive health by stepping in front of television cameras to double down on their false narrative that elected Republicans and candidates here are threatening a health care choice that's enshrined in Connecticut law," Candelora said.
"Meanwhile," Candelora added, "residents are understandably worried about how they'll afford to heat their homes and pay for groceries as inflation continues to squeeze everyone's finances."
Doug Stewart is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dstewart@fox61.com.
Emma Wulfhorst is a political reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at ewulfhorst@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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