The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
‘THEIR BODY, THEIR CHOICE’
More than 300 pack library to ask lawmaker about parental notification bill for abortions
State Sen. Len Suzio got more than he bargained for during a town hall meeting to discuss the Legislature’s upcoming session Wednesday night.
More than 300 people, many of them Wesleyan University students, crowded into the Russell Library’s modest Hubbard Room, standing along the walls, in the hallway and out into the main reading area, prompting Library Director Matt Poland to announce that anyone who couldn’t find a seat would have to leave, citing the room’s capacity.
Suzio, a Republican who represent’s Connecticut’s 13th Senate District, who was there to touch upon the budget crisis, early release of criminals and the gas tax, was equally as caught off-guard but pleased with the turnout, he said. “The No. 1 issue is the budget. It’s a complete disaster in Connecticut. We’re looking at $1.5 billion deficit in the upcoming fiscal year and $1.3 billion in the following year,” Suzio said. “That’s almost $3 billion.”
"I’m personally introducing a parental notification bill. I did that for children who are about to undergo a surgical procedure called abortion. I would like to see the parents involved if possible." — State Sen. Len Suzio
About 10 minutes into the program, Suzio, who was told the meeting would be moved to a larger venue to accommodate everyone, happily obliged.
Several hundred people filed into the reading room, where individuals, many of whom were women, lined the third-floor balcony, the entire first floor and second floor stairs, some holding signs that said “their body, their choice,” “keep judges out of vaginas,” “the right to choose is a human right” and “we will not go backward.”
A good number of those in attendance were there to ask questions about the Proposed H.B. 5566 that would require parental notification for minors seeking abortions.
“I’m personally introducing a parental notification bill,” Suzio explained. “I did that for children who are about to undergo a surgical procedure called abortion. I would like to see the parents involved if possible.”
The bill, introduced by state Rep. Rob Sampson, RWolcott, would “prohibit a medical provider from performing an abortion upon an unemancipated minor under 18 years of age, unless the provider has given not less than 48 hours of actual notice of the intent to perform the abortion to at least one parent or legal guardian of the minor,” the proposal reads.
There would be a judicial opt-out, Suzio said, “if a young lady, a child who’s pregnant, has an abusive situation ... we’re not going to force her to go to an abusive father or whatever,” for permission.
“In a judicial proceeding, a judge would make a decision on what’s in the best interest of the child and if the parents should be notified,” said Suzio, the father of four daughters and a son.
“I could understand how my child would be reluctant to talk to me if (she) found (herself) in that situation,” Suzio said, “not for fear of doing something bad to her, but fear of hurting me and my wife, who love her very much.”
Suzio looked around the room and above him, taking in the dozens of individuals, many leaning on the bannister of the upper level. He asked everyone who they thought should be given the final say as to whether a teen girl could obtain an abortion.
“I think everyone in this room will agree that in an ideal world, it would be the parents, right?” Suzio asked, as a rush of “no’s” spread among the crowd.
“No? Even if the person is 13 or 14 years old?” he asked. That question was met with dozens of “yeses,” as many individuals began talking at once, leading Poland to ask everyone to observe decorum and wait to ask a question or comment.
Many murmured that the right to choose an abortion should rely with the individual.
A young woman in the third-floor rafters, asked Suzio, who stood on the main floor, a question. “I always wonder why politicians like you, who are male, feel at all capable of making a decision that regards pregnancy?”
The room erupted in applause and cheers.
“I think that should be significant to you as a politician that this is something that people really care about,” she continued, then rapid-fired questions about whether he knows what a doula is, and whether Suzio supported the mission of Planned Parenthood.
“I think we’re going to have to pick up his answer as we’re moving forward,” Poland told the crowd in an effort to move along with limited time remaining.
“We’ve got a lot of good questions here,” he said, as he fielded another question for the senator.
District 13 encompasses Middlefield, Cheshire, Rockfall, Meriden and parts of Middletown.
Suzio will hold another town hall Monday at the Middlefield Community Center and Tuesday at Cheshire Town Hall. Both begin at 6 p.m.