Oregon’s free Reproductive Rights Hotline answers abortion-related legal questions

When the law changes in such a sudden way as it did with Dobbs, there is a need to help the public understand the changing legal landscape

The state of abortion and reproductive health care in Oregon and across the country looks completely different today than it did one year ago. When the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the constitutional right to an abortion last June, many of us      in Oregon felt naturally anxious and unsure. But we also felt better positioned than other states because Oregon has long protected the legal right to access abortion care and other reproductive health services. 

It didn’t take long after the Dobbs v. Jackson decision came out that the Oregon legal community realized      we had a role to play.  There was a lot of confusion in Oregon and around the country about what this ruling meant here in Oregon. Then, increasing litigation around the country over      medication abortion heightened the confusion at the federal level, potentially impacting people from states like Oregon in which abortion is strongly protected. 

When the law changes in such a sudden way as it did with Dobbs, there is a need to help the public understand the changing legal landscape, especially for those that don’t have easy access to legal resources.  This is particularly the case when our neighbor, the s     tate of Idaho, has imposed some of the most draconian restrictions on abortion in the country, in stark contrast to Oregon.

Fortunately for Oregon, there is a new “Reproductive Rights Hotline” spearheaded by the Oregon Department of Justice. This is a “know your rights” hotline that is staffed by over 70 lawyers from some of the top law firms in Oregon, in cooperation with the State.  Pro bono lawyers are available to take legal questions about what your legal rights to an abortion are in Oregon.

To be clear, abortion is safe, legal, and accessible here in Oregon. Oregon has been a pioneer in the fight for reproductive rights, with laws in place that prioritize the health and well-being of individuals seeking abortions. One such law is the Reproductive Health Equity Act, which ensures that all individuals in Oregon have access to the full range of reproductive health care services, including abortion, regardless of their income or insurance status. This law recognizes that reproductive rights are not just a matter of choice, but a matter of equity and justice.

But, as laws change and litigation plays out at the federal level and around the country, complicated questions around minor consent, medication abortion, waiting periods, and so much more can come up. That is what we are here for.

So, what can you expect when you call the hotline? Most importantly, the information callers share with our lawyers is confidential, and protected by attorney-client privilege.  People can expect that when they call the hotline, they will hear back from somebody quickly—our goal is an attorney will call you back within 48 hours.  This is a free service, and callers will not be charged for the limited scope legal advice they receive.

I also want to make it clear that the people answering calls to the Hotline have been trained in trauma informed care, and they will take extreme care to answer all questions with care and compassion. And, of course, all calls are confidential and private. 

The hotline is not restricted to callers from Oregon, and we welcome callers from out of state. However, our work is to advise people on the status of Oregon law, and accessibility to care here in Oregon. If somebody calls from a neighboring state such as      Idaho with questions about care in Idaho, or the application of Idaho law, we will refer the caller to a pro bono attorney there.  

Finally, on a personal note, for my whole life there has been a constitutional right to an abortion.  I took for granted that women could make our own decisions about whether and when to have children.  When the Dobbs decision came out this summer, I was very grateful to live here in Oregon—but I know there is so much fear and misinformation, and it is important to me that we take steps so that my own children and their peers can make their own decisions about reproductive health when they are older, regardless of where they live.

The Hotline number is 503-431-6460. We hope you’ll help spread the word about this crucial new tool. 

Anna Sortun is a commercial litigation partner with Tonkon Torp in Portland. She currently helps oversee the operations of the Oregon Reproductive Rights Hotline.