Cuomo to relax New York abortion laws

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is working on abortion legislation that will guarantee women in the state access to late-term abortions, according to a new report.

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While other states are working toward further restrictions on abortion, Cuomo's bill would ensure women in New York state have the "right to late-term abortions when their health is in danger or the fetus is not viable," the New York Times reported.

New York Magazine said the plan would replace current NY law, "which allows women to terminate pregnancies after 24 weeks" only when their life is in danger, but is not enforceable due to federal standards.

New York legalized abortion in 1970, three years before Roe v. Wade made it legal for the nation, the Times wrote.

The proposal would update New York's current state law enabling it to withstand Congressional or Supreme Court challenges to Roe.

“Why are we doing this? The Supreme Court could change,” a senior Cuomo administration official, told the New York Times. 

Cuomo has not yet officially introduced his proposal.

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