Gov. Josh Stein, shown here signing an executive order during his first week in office to speed recovery in Hurricane Helene impacted counties, signed another order on Thursday committing his administration to the protection of abortion rights. (Photo courtesy of the Governor’s Office.)
Gov. Josh Stein issued an executive order Thursday supporting access and privacy for abortion, contraception and reproductive health care.
The order from Stein, a Democrat, comes days before Donald Trump is sworn into office for a second term.
“In addition to state-level restrictions on reproductive health care access following Dobbs [v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization], there is a risk that the federal government will soon similarly begin restricting access to reproductive health care services,” Stein’s executive order says.
Abortion is banned in North Carolina starting after 12 weeks of pregnancy. Stein’s order directs state agencies under his purview to “protect medical professionals” that provide relevant care, as well as “reviewing and, if necessary, revising policies about the records and data they collect” during care.
“Our state has seen alarming attacks on women’s reproductive rights over the past few years, and I remain committed to doing everything in my power to protect women’s freedoms and their privacy,” Stein said in a statement.
“I am directing my cabinet agencies to take specific action to protect women and health care providers from extreme anti-reproductive freedom laws.”
Stein, holding a governor’s office in North Carolina that is weak relative to many other states’, does not have the power to unilaterally alter the state’s laws. He can only veto or sign into law bills sent to him by the legislature, controlled by Republicans.
It remains to be seen whether the Trump administration will pursue further restrictions on reproductive care.
Abortion opponents have urged restrictions on mifepristone — a form of medication abortion — but Trump himself has been unclear where he stands. Other hypothetical restrictions could come through Title X, Medicaid, or the use of mail for abortion medications.
Read the executive order here: