Maryland
Maryland to vote on enshrining abortion law
Next week, Maryland voters will be asked to decide if the state should enshrine reproductive freedom in its constitution.
The ballot measure comes two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and the constitutional right to abortion.
If passed, the measure would confirm the fundamental right to reproductive freedom around decisions to prevent, continue or end pregnancy. The amendment says the state may not interfere with that right “unless justified by a compelling state interest achieved by the least restrictive means.”
“It’s important to advocates that we make sure that the right to reproductive healthcare remains with a person and their doctor,” said Erin Bradley, chair of Freedom in Reproduction Maryland.
A University of Maryland, Baltimore County poll last month found about 69% of Maryland voters support it.
Currently in Maryland, abortion is legal under “very protective” policies, according to the Guttmacher Institute.
Gov. Wes Moore signed a shield law last year that offers protection for medical providers from out-of-state investigations.
State law holds that parents of minors must be notified of an abortion, with some exceptions.
“There is no serious effort to take away abortion rights in Annapolis, and so we think it’s just unnecessary,” said Jeffrey Trimbath of the Maryland Family Institute. “It’s an unnecessary distraction from what Marylanders really care about.”
The group Health Not Harm MD has been putting up signs saying, “Vote no on Question 1. No sex change surgeries on children without parental consent.”
The group told News4 it wishes the ballot measure would spell out that minors need to notify their parents before making decisions. It also says the amendment isn’t specific in its wording and worries “decisions around preventing pregnancy” could equate to transgender surgeries.
“We are concerned that by giving children the same rights as adults to obtain any types of drugs or surgeries related to their reproductive system, that is taking away a parent’s involvement in their child’s decisions for healthcare and education,” said Health Not Harm MD Chair Deborah Brocato.
Reproductive rights activists say Maryland laws wouldn’t change and minors would still have to notify parents. They also say the ballot measure doesn’t speak to transgender surgeries.
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COLUMBIA, Md. (WBFF) — An adult man was killed in a police-involved shooting in Columbia early Sunday, prompting an investigation by the Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division.
Howard County police said officers were called on March 1, at about 12:09 a.m., to an apartment building in the 6400 block of Freetown Road for a report that involved an adult male threatening to harm himself.
According to police, at about 12:22 a.m., officers encountered the man outside the building. The man approached officers while holding a knife and ignored commands to drop the weapon, police said. Officers then shot the man.
ALSO READ | Gas leak explosion, fire in Prince George’s County leaves 1 injured
Officers attempted life-saving measures, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Officersrecovered a knife near the man.
No officers were injured, and the officers were equipped with body-worn cameras.
The Independent Investigations Division is investigating.
Anyone with information about this incident, including cell phone or private surveillance video, is asked to contact the IID at (410) 576–7070 or by email atIID@oag.maryland.gov.
The IID willgenerally releasethe name of the decedent and any involved officers within two business days of the incident, although that period may be extended, if necessary,pursuant toIID protocol.
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TheIID willgenerally releasebody-worn camera footage within 20 business days of an incident. There may be situations where more than 20 days is necessary, including if investigators need more time to complete witness interviews, if there are technical delays caused by the need to shield the identities of civilian witnesses, or to allow family members to view the video before it is released to the public.
Aircraft located in wooded area
HOLLYWOOD, Md. – First responders, including Maryland State Police from the Leonardtown Barrack, deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and EMS, responded to the area.
Maryland State Police Aviation Command assisted in the search and ultimately located the aircraft in a wooded area.
Preliminary investigation indicates a small ultralight aircraft crashed for reasons that remain under investigation.
Pilot pronounced dead
Authorities said the operator was the sole occupant of the aircraft and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The identity of the pilot has not been released pending notification of next of kin.
Officials said no photos of the crash scene will be released.
Investigation ongoing
The Maryland Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have been notified.
The investigation remains active.
The Source: This article was written using information provided by local emergency officials.
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