The following highlights recent news of state actions on legislation related to emergency contraception access.

• Connecticut: Gov. M. Jodi Rell (R) on Wednesday signed into law a bill (SB 1343) that requires all hospitals in the state, including Catholic hospitals, to provide EC to rape survivors, the Hartford Courant reports (Waldman, Hartford Courant, 5/17). The measure requires that rape survivors be given a pregnancy test before receiving EC, which can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of sexual intercourse, and does not require hospitals to provide the drug to women who test positive for pregnancy. In addition, hospitals can contract with a third-party provider to provide EC rather than force employees at the facility to dispense the drug. Archbishop Henry Mansell last year instructed Catholic hospitals in the state not to prescribe Barr Laboratories' emergency contraceptive Plan B if rape survivors are ovulating or if an egg has been fertilized. Mansell said he does not agree with the legislation because the drug will be provided on hospital grounds, which violates the church's teaching (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 5/7). Attempts to find a compromise on the bill with the Catholic Church failed, the Courant reports. However, legislators said they are willing to amend the law before it takes effect Oct. 1 if the church offers an option that ensures equal access to care for rape survivors. According to the Courant, it is unclear whether or how hospitals that refuse to obey the law would be punished (Hartford Courant, 5/17).
  
  
• Oregon: The Senate on Wednesday voted 24-5 to approve a bill (HB 2700) that would require all health insurance plans in the state that provide prescription drug coverage to include contraceptives, the Salem-News reports (Salem-News, 5/16). The bill also would require hospitals to inform sexual assault survivors about EC and make it available upon request. Religious employers would be exempt from the legislation. About half of insurers in the state do not cover prescription contraceptives (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 3/20). The bill now goes to Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D), who has said he would sign it into law, the AP/KGW.com reports. The measure would take effect Jan. 1, 2008 (AP/KGW.com, 5/16).
  
  
• Wisconsin: The Senate on Wednesday voted 27-6 to pass a bill (SB 129) that would require hospitals to inform rape survivors that EC is highly effective at preventing pregnancy and dispense the drug if survivors request it, the AP/Winona Daily News reports (Bauer, AP/Winona Daily News, 5/17). According to the legislation, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson (D), hospitals that refuse to follow the mandate would face sanctions from the state. Democrats have failed to gather enough support to pass similar legislation introduced in at least the last three legislative sessions (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Report, 3/8). It is unlikely the measure will pass the House this session, the AP/Daily News reports. Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch (R) has not taken a stand on the measure and has said he could not predict its chances in his chamber. According to the AP/Daily News, Gov. Jim Doyle (D) supports the bill (AP/Winona Daily News, 5/16).