Bioethics Public Policy Report: October 27, 2026
State by State
An initiative is underway to repeal Massachusetts’s recently passed law that removes all restrictions for late-term abortions, entitled Repeal188. The initiative is seeking 50,000 signatures for a petition, which would put the question of whether to repeal the law to a referendum in the 2028 election. For further information, click here.
A referendum is on the ballot in Wisconsin to add protections against forced closure of places of worship in times of emergency, in response to the lockdowns under the COVID-19 pandemic. For further information, click here.
Several states have referenda related to abortion this election day, including Nevada, Idaho, Virginia, and Missouri. Nevada, Idaho, and Virginia will be considering establishing a “right” to abortion in their respective state constitutions, whereas in Missouri voters will vote on whether to repeal a previously passed ballot initiative that enshrined abortion in their constitution. For further information, click here.
Federal Courts
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy, a case challenging Colorado’s requirements to provide students “equal opportunity to enroll” in its universal preschool program. The Catholic preschools and Archdiocese of Denver argue that they must consider sexuality and gender identity in deciding whether to enroll a student. For further information, click here.
National
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a demand to medical organizations to answer for the harm done to minors by sex-rejecting procedures, asking them for clear answers about their current positions, the evidence supporting their guidance, and whether they intend to change their promotion of sex-rejecting interventions. For further information, click here.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission decided in favor of two employees’ claims of religious discrimination against companies that refused religious accommodations to employees, one for a Muslim who requested to be excused from work for a religious holiday and another for an employee who wished to be excused from working on Sundays to observe her Sabbath. For further information, click here and here.
Sen. Josh Hawley sent a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asking questions about the FDA’s data usage in its study on the safety of the chemical abortion drug mifepristone. The FDA is expected to finish its study on mifepristone in March 2027. To read the letter, click here. For further information, click here and here.
International
Pope Leo XIV called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin from the hospital after his surgery, urging a localized ceasefire between the two nations to allow for humanitarian aid for the people of Oleshky. For further information, click here and here.
The Alliance Defending Freedom is representing a pro-life Christian woman in England who was fired after answering students’ questions about her political views and whether she was pro-life. For further information, click here.
In Canada, Bill C-218 was introduced to prevent access to Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) for people whose sole underlying condition is mental illness. It was defeated in Parliament by a vote of 187 to 141. On the same day, prior to the vote, the federal government announced it plans to introduce legislation that will prevent euthanasia in cases where mental illness is the sole criteria. At the same time, the country is also proposing to allow for advance requests for euthanasia in the case of dementia. For further information, click here and here.
Of Note
The bishops of the European Union have issued a declaration setting forth eight principles to ensure that artificial intelligence remains at the service of the human person. To read the bishops’ statement, click here. For further information, click here.
After being diagnosed with lung cancer and undergoing surgery, Pope Leo is out of the hospital and seemingly ready to proceed with his scheduled Nov. 6-17 trip to South America. For further information, click here.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops established the Task Force on Preserving Human Dignity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, in response to the swift emergence and development of artificial intelligence. For further information, click here.
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