Maine Passes Progressive Abortion and Gender-Affirming Care Bills

Democrats in the Maine Legislature have passed a bill expanding abortion access, making Maine one of the states with the least restrictive abortion laws in the country. The proposal, put forth by Governor Janet Mills, allows for abortions whenever a doctor deems it medically necessary. While abortion opponents have criticized the bill as "barbaric" and "extreme," Mills is expected to sign it into law next week. The bill aims to address rare circumstances when a woman learns late in her pregnancy that the fetus has a fatal anomaly. Democrats in Maine have been pushing for expanded abortion access since the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, enacting various measures to protect reproductive rights.