Connecticut lawmakers pass bill to protect abortion seekers and providers from out-of-state lawsuits

Connecticut lawmakers on Friday passed a bill designed to protect people who provide an abortion or receive support to obtain the procedure in Connecticut and are then sued in another state.

House Bill 5414, sponsored by state Democratic lawmakers, would enable a person or corporation who "has had a judgment entered" against them in another state for receiving, providing or helping a person obtain legal abortion services in Connecticut to sue for damages. Supporters of the bill say it would protect women from other states who travel to Connecticut to receive abortions, as well as the physicians who provide them.

The measure cleared the state Senate late Friday night in a 25-9 vote, after passing the state House last week in an 87-60 bipartisan vote. Democrats control both chambers of the General Assembly.