Bit of good news: HI Gov signs bill to make hospitals offer emergency contraception to rape victims [View all]

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/bef35055525a403c86cc20e2bbb8133c/HI-XGR--Emergency-Contraception-Hawaii?utm_source=nar.al&utm_medium=urlshortener&utm_campaign=FB

HONOLULU — Gov. Neil Abercrombie has signed a new law requiring all hospital emergency rooms in Hawaii to offer emergency contraception to female victims of sexual assault.

The Democrat signed the law Monday at the state Capitol. It requires hospitals to provide sexual assault victims with medically accurate, unbiased information about emergency contraception and to let them know that it's available if they choose.

"This is a standard of care that should be available to anyone," Abercrombie said. He said the law fulfills an obligation to respect human dignity and show compassion to people who have been violated through sexual assaults. He added that he cannot think of any other bill that has meant more to him than this measure.

Advocates of the proposal say the law is a step forward for women's reproductive rights and addressing violence against women.