The Town of North Hempstead held a packed public meeting Thursday regarding a decades-old abortion law.
"Pregnancy Termination Facilities," 41A of the town code, prohibits abortions in all places except hospitals or hospital facilities. This means that Planned Parenthoods would not be able to set up shop in the town.
Councilwoman Veronica Lurvey says local laws are increasingly crucial now that Roe V. Wade has been overturned nationally.
She wants to amend the local law that was written decades ago.
"They're obsolete, they're 50 years old, they're from a different era," Lurvey says.
Residents, young and old, came out to express their thoughts on the issues.
Anna Muska, 15, says she came to the meeting because it affects her and her peers.
"It means a lot, I mean this is going to affect me in a few years, probably affect where I go to college and what state I live in, so it means a lot," Muska says.
Others like Jim McHugh, of New Hyde Park, believe the law should remain in place.
"This is a safety issue for the mother," McHugh says. "I'm pro-life, but I'm pro-life for the mother and the child."
North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena was not at the meeting Thursday, but released a statement to News 12, saying: “Tonight, the Town Board voted to repeal a chapter of Town Code that deals with zoning restrictions relative to certain medical procedures that is obsolete and unenforceable, as it has been superseded by state law for 50 years. Although I was unfortunately not able to be there in person tonight to cast my vote tonight due to a long-standing prior family commitment, I support the repeal of this chapter and would have voted yes for it, since it brings North Hempstead’s Town Code into conformity with state law.”
No decisions were made at the meeting. The matter will be discussed again on Sept. 1 at 7 p.m.