Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, announced she helped pass a legislative package to strengthen women’s rights, including the right to choose, accessible contraception and freedom from discrimination.

“Women deserve the right to make decisions about their bodies and health without the uninformed or misguided opinions of others or fear of retaliation from their employers,” Jenne said.

“By protecting women’s right to choose and helping them access affordable contraceptive coverage, we take an important step toward full women’s equality,” she added.

Jenne represents the Assembly’s “River District,” the 116th, which includes all St. Lawrence County towns along the St. Lawrence River (Massena, Ogdensburg, Louisville, Waddington, Lisbon, Oswegatchie, Morristown, and Hammond) plus the towns of Canton, Potsdam, Rossie, Macomb, and DePeyster, and part of Jefferson County.

She co-sponsored legislation to affirm a woman’s right to terminate a pregnancy under the terms of Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling or when the pregnancy is not viable or endangers her life or health (A.1748). The assemblywoman also co-sponsored the Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act to require health insurers provide coverage of all FDA-approved contraceptives when they are prescribed by a health care provider (A.9957).

She pointed out access to affordable contraception has been shown to improve women’s health and financial security as well as lower the rates of maternal and infant mortality.

While often used to prevent pregnancy, there is also an array of other health-related reasons women are prescribed contraceptives, Jenne said.

The Assembly also passed legislation prohibiting employers from discriminating against employees based on health care decisions, including reproductive health choices (A.566-A).

Additionally, the bill prevents employers from accessing medical information without an employee’s informed, written consent.

The Assembly also passed a bill amending the New York State Constitution to guarantee equal protection of the laws of New York on the basis of sex (A.7990-A).

The state’s constitution currently protects equal rights on the basis of race, color, creed or religion, but not sex. This legislation would change that to guarantee equal rights for men and women.

“While conversations over a woman’s right to make decisions in regard to her own body should have ended with Roe v. Wade, the fact of the matter is the fight is far from over. It’s time to make inequality a thing of the past,” Jenne said.