I *heart* Hawaii

It's nice to get some woman-friendly news for a change:

HONOLULU -- A woman's right to abortion could be protected in Hawaii even if Roe v. Wade were overturned in a bill approved by state lawmakers. They sent a bill to the governor on Tuesday that they hope will be able to withstand constitutional challenges if the Supreme Court overturned the right to an abortion. [...]

Lawmakers said there is so much more opposition to abortion nationally since Hawaii's landmark abortion law was approved in 1970 that they want to make sure there are protections in place. "It is important to keep a woman's right to an abortion, safe, legal and accessible," Democratic Sen. Roz Baker said. The bill eliminates a residency requirement and makes clear that abortions can be preformed in clinics and doctor's offices. [...]

Proponents said the bill is critical to insure that the intent of Hawaii's abortion law -- the first in the nation -- not be whittled down. "I am old enough to remember when women were dying from illegal back alley coat hanger abortions and I certainly don't want to go back to that," The abortion bill now goes to the governor's desk. She has 10 days to veto it. Gov. Linda Lingle has been a strong supporter of a woman's choice her entire political career. She is expected to allow the bill to become law.

Rock on, Hawaii. Thanks to Christopher for the link.