Montana voters have passed Constitutional Initiative No. 128, granting individuals the right to their own pregnancy decisions, including the right to abortion without government interference. The initiative, officially called CI-128, amends the state constitution to provide these rights and prohibits the government from denying or burdening access to abortion before fetal viability. Additionally, CI-128 ensures that individuals have access to abortion when deemed medically necessary by a healthcare professional to protect the pregnant patient’s life or health. The initiative also prevents any penalties for patients, healthcare providers, or those assisting others in making voluntary decisions about their pregnancy. This decision has been hailed as a victory for reproductive rights advocates and a step towards protecting women’s healthcare choices in Montana. The Associated Press has declared the results of the election for CI-128 as passing, reflecting the majority support among Montana voters for this constitutional amendment. This move is seen as a significant milestone in the ongoing debate over reproductive rights and access to abortion in the state. Proponents of CI-128 believe that this initiative will ensure that women have the autonomy to make decisions about their own bodies without government interference. The passing of CI-128 marks a progressive shift in Montana’s stance on reproductive rights and signals a move towards greater protection of women’s healthcare rights.
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