Question 1 on the November Ballot

On the November ballot is a “Question 1” proposing an amendment to the Maryland Constitution, setting forth an individual’s right to “reproductive freedom”. So what does this have to do with the right to abortion? Or, parents’ right?

In Maryland, the woman’s right to abortion has been guaranteed and protected by Maryland law for years, unconditionally to any pregnant woman to the point of a fetus’ viability; and after that, on condition of the woman’s life or health. In addition, beyond that, legislation and regulations in the state have been extremely generous in providing such services free to any woman in need through taxpayer funding as well.

So why amend the Maryland constitution in this area? What is the need or purpose? . The answer lies in its effect to establish a new, vague “right” to all individuals (human being, man or woman, child or adult) called “reproductive freedom”. This “right” extends far beyond the “right” to abortion alone. Deborah Brocato, R. N., chair of “Health Not Harm MD”, states the issue this way:

This amendment creates a brand new right called ‘reproductive freedom.’ ‘Reproductive freedom’ is not only not defined in the amendment itself, but it is also not defined anywhere in Maryland code or Maryland law. The only clue we have in the amendment itself is that it says ‘reproductive freedom is not limited to…’ …things related to pregnancy. By the amendment itself, we know it is meant to go beyond things having to do with pregnancy.”

What then is the motivation for such an amendment to carve out such a new right for ‘reproductive freedom”? Well, Planned Parenthood is motivated to support such an amendment, which would expand the use of its services and financial benefit by providing much more than abortions to pregnant women. For example, it could be used to facilitate sex change and transgender surgeries to men and minor children. So, maybe it’s no surprise that Planned Parenthood is a major financial supporter of Question I, having contributed a hefty $250,000 on behalf of its passage.

Opponents of Question 1 site the threat of harm to parents’ right to protect their minor children from gender and sex change treatments, perhaps even conducted without their consent or notification. In states like Maryland, this is a special risk due to the heavy involvement of the public school “woke” curriculum with young students, exposing them to sex practices and gender identification concepts outside of the normal “two-gender” perspective on the subject. Under the influence of such a gender-fluid, “woke” curriculum, for example, even very young children could be induced to assert their“right” to change the gender identity at birth. In addition, public school personnel could support the child’s “right” to such sex and gender change therapies without even notifying parents to enable their counsel and guidance otherwise on the matter.

The wording of Question 1 is further deceptive and misleading in that it uses the term “confirms” to imply that the right to “reproductive freedom” already exists elsewhere in Maryland law, which is does not. (see below)

So, is Question 1 about “abortion” rights or “parents’ rights”? Or something else altogether different? And how might this term “reproductive freedom” be used to further separate children from the nature care and support of their parents in this most sensitive areas of human life and experience? Will you vote NO or YES on this question?

The Amendment would add this language to the Maryland Constitution:

That every person, as a central component of an individual’s rights to liberty and equality, has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including but not limited to the ability to make and effectuate decisions to prevent, continue, or end one’s own pregnancy. The state may not, directly or indirectly, deny, burden, or abridge the right unless justified by a compelling state interest achieved by the least restrictive means.


Wording on the Ballot

Question 1 – Constitutional Amendment (Ch. 245 of the 2023 Legislative Session)
Declaration of Rights – Right to Reproductive Freedom
The proposed amendment confirms an individual’s fundamental right to an individual’s own reproductive liberty and provides the State may not, directly or indirectly, deny, burden, or abridge the right unless justified by a compelling State interest achieved by the least restrictive means.