Should abortion, even for healthy moms with healthy babies, be legal through all nine months of pregnancy? Should parents be informed prior to an abortion being committed on their underage daughter? Should abortions be performed by non-doctors in unregulated clinics? These are the issues Nevadans will vote on in November as they consider the radical and extreme Reproductive Rights Amendment – Question 6. What should we as Catholics do?

The Present Law

If passed in 2024 and 2026, Nevada’s Constitution will wrongly normalize abortion as a fundamental right equal to freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

Let us look at the facts. Abortion is the destruction of a living preborn baby in the womb. It is not ectopic pregnancy treatment, miscarriage care, and it should definitely not be used as birth control.

Nevadans voted in 1990 to allow abortion (NRS442.250) up to the sixth month for any reason, but abortions must be performed by a licensed physician. After six months to protect the life or health of the mother, abortions must be done in a licensed hospital. This cannot be changed by the legislature or elected officials, only by a vote of the people.

The Proposed Nevada State Amendment

Nevada’s current abortion law is already more extreme than all but five countries in the world. But it is not extreme enough for abortion advocates. The proposed Reproductive Rights constitutional amendment add uses vague language and raises more questions than answers. While the language seems to prohibit abortion after fetal viability, viability will be determined by the healthcare practitioner (the abortionist). It would confer a fundamental right to abortion to all individuals, including underaged children. The majority of individuals oppose unlimited abortion and favor limitations. Abortion advocates scare people by falsely claiming that without this amendment, women will die or go to jail, and birth control and in vitro fertilization will be banned or severely limited.

In Nevada the law requires parental notification for minor girls seeking an abortion. It has been unenforced, but there is a current case in the courts to mandate enforcement of parental notification. This amendment would nullify any parental involvement requirement.

The amendment removes the current requirement that only licensed physicians can perform abortions and replaces it with “healthcare practitioner,” a term defined in Nevada Revised Statute (NRS439A.0195). Practitioner includes “dentist, licensed nurse, dispensing optician, optometrist, registered physical therapist, podiatric physician, licensed psychologist, chiropractic physician, doctor of Oriental medicine in any form, medical laboratory director or technician, pharmacist or other person whose principal occupation is the provision of services for health.” This right is protected “without interference from the state or its political subdivisions” endangering common sense health and safety regulations that protect women.

Our Response as Catholics

Catholics are called to uphold the dignity and sanctity of human life and work to defend and protect life from conception to natural death. We are challenged to support mothers in need so they may choose life for their babies. Volunteers are needed at pregnancy centers, maternity homes, and pro-life organizations. Everyone is encouraged to unite in efforts to defeat this proposed constitutional amendment. Vote NO on Question 6. You can help.

HOW TO TAKE ACTION:

• Vote “NO” on ballot Question 6 this fall- the Nevada Reproductive Rights Amendment.
• Inform your family members, friends, and fellow parishioners about this extreme initiative and encourage them to vote no.
• Support or join local pro-life organizations and assist with efforts in your parish and elsewhere to inform Catholics and others to help oppose this measure.
• Pray for the defeat of this amendment and for the increased protection and defense of all human life.
• Assist and support women and families by providing resources and care, making life an easier and beautiful blessing.