News

Gov: Maine won’t help prosecute abortion seekers, providers

Gov: Maine won’t help prosecute abortion seekers, providers

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Maine will not cooperate with other states’ investigations into people who seek abortions or health care providers that perform them, the state’s governor said Tuesday.

Democratic Gov. Janet Mills signed an executive order that she said will protect access to abortion in her state. She said she made the order as a response to the Supreme Court’s ruling that overturned Roe V. Wade.

Mills said her order also directs Maine state agencies to review laws and regulations for any barriers to reproductive health care and remove or minimize them. She said she will use her authority to decline any extradition attempts from states that pursue criminal charges against people who receive or perform abortions.

Mills said she “will stand in the way of any effort to undermine, rollback, or outright eliminate the right to safe and legal abortion in Maine.”

Mills is seeking reelection against Republican former Gov. Paul LePage. LePage has said abortion affects “few Mainers” and has not made it a focus of his campaign.

Latest Headlines

44 minutes ago in Local

Member of Bush family expected to announce bid for Govenor next week

Fresh

Health-care entrepreneur Jonathan Bush plans a "major announcement" Wednesday at athenahealth, the company he founded and moved to Belfast in 2008.

6 hours ago in Local

Against the Odds: Maine’s Orchards Pull Off a Top-Quality Apple Harvest

Next year's apples might be a problem, but for now enjoy Maine's apples

23 hours ago in Local

New report suggests electrical component to blame for foam spill at Brunswick airport

A new report says a faulty electrical component is likely to blame for the massive spill of toxic firefighting foam last year at the Brunswick Executive Airport.

23 hours ago in Local

Boy struck by vehicle at Millinocket crosswalk

A boy was taken by Life Flight to the hospital with serious injuries after he was hit by a vehicle in Millinocket.

24 hours ago in Local

Police ask for information leading to missing Burlington woman

Police are asking the public to help them locate a missing Burlington woman.