In the aftermath of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, Gov. Dan McKee has signed an executive order protecting access to abortion care in Rhode Island.

The governor says his order will ensure that people who seek reproductive health services in Rhode Island will be shielded from legal liability in other states.

Rhode Island adopted a law in 2019 to protect abortion rights.

In a statement, McKee’s office says his executive order protects Rhode Island providers who offer abortion services for people from out of state. It also prohibits executive departments from assisting other states investigations into people offering or receiving abortion services.

Activist group The Womxn Project expressed gratitude for McKee’s action. The group says the governor’s order sends a clear message that Rhode Island will be a safe haven for anyone seeking abortion care.

At the same time, activists are pressing the state to cover abortions through Medicaid and the state employee health plan. Legislative leaders say that this will probably not be taken up until after the start of the next legislative session in January.

Ian Donnis can be reached at idonnis@ripr.org