Ahead of Judiciary Hearing, Reproductive Equity Now Calls on CT Lawmakers to Bolster Shield Law Protections

S.B. 295 would Expand Connecticut’s Shield Law to Safeguard Telehealth Providers from Hostile Out-of-State Prosecution

HARTFORD (March 2, 2026) – Connecticut State Director for Reproductive Equity Now, Liz Gustafson, released a statement ahead of today’s Judiciary Committee Public Hearing on S.B. 295, Bolstering Shield Protections for Interstate Telehealth, legislation that would bolster Connecticut’s provider shield law to ensure reproductive and gender-affirming health care providers are protected from hostile out-of-state prosecution when providing care via telehealth, regardless of a patient’s location.

“As the first state in the nation to pass a shield law, Connecticut made a promise to protect patients and providers from hostile out-of-state interference — and this bill follows through on that commitment,” said Liz Gustafson, Connecticut State Director for Reproductive Equity Now. “This legislation bolsters Connecticut’s shield law by expanding critical protections for providers who seek to offer legally-protected abortion and gender-affirming care via telehealth, no matter the patient's zip code. Connecticut’s providers offering this essential care deserve protection from political interference and the threat of criminalization. By passing S.B. 295, Connecticut both reaffirms its leadership and ensures patients and providers remain protected in the face of escalating national attacks on health care access.”

This hearing is scheduled for 10:00 AM. You can watch the full hearing live HERE.

S.B. 295 is part of Reproductive Equity Now’s Connecticut 2026 legislative priorities, which include expanding protections for providers of reproductive health care, protecting patient access to reproductive and gender-affirming health care services, and supporting coalition efforts to work toward equitable access to the full spectrum of reproductive health care. 

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