Long before the Supreme Court bomb on Friday overturned Rowe against Wade, transforming reproductive rights for the first time in 50 years, California had laws protecting access to abortion within its own borders.
Now, with Friday’s ruling, Democrat leaders are moving quickly to strengthen and expand access to abortion during this year’s legislature, taking steps to protect doctors and provide a “safe haven” for those seeking abortion. .
Legal experts predict courtroom battles between California and other states over whether doctors can be tried or prosecuted. The legislation will protect providers and further protect access to the procedure for Californians and the expected influx of patients out of state, they said.
But they also warn that Californians may be vulnerable to restrictions if a future Congress aims to reduce access.
“Nothing protects us from the actions that Congress can take to restrict reproductive rights,” said Donna Crane, an associate professor in political science at San Jose State University and a former vice president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. Because of the constitutionality clause, she said, “we cannot defend ourselves against a government at the federal level that intends to take away our rights.”
Critics such as the California Family Council say California lawmakers are promoting “abortion tourism” and vehemently opposed the use of taxpayers’ funds to expand access to the procedure. Such efforts will encourage more women in California to have abortions and encourage out-of-state residents to come to the state for the procedure, they warn.
Swearing in the West Coast offensive, Gov. Gavin Newsom, Washington Gov. Jay Insley and Oregon Gov. Kate Brown pledged several states Friday afternoon to protect access to reproductive health care and protect patients and professionals.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom angrily condemned the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Rowe v. Wade at a press conference in Sacramento, California, Friday, June 24, 2022. During the press conference, Newsom signed a bill protecting abortion providers and volunteers in California. civil convictions by an extrajudicial court. Newsham was surrounded by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsham. (AP Photo / Rich Pedroncelli)
At a news conference, Newsom signed a bill that prevents civil lawsuits from other states against those in California who receive, perform, or support abortion services. The Assembly Bill 1666, sponsored by Assembly member Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, D-Orinda, protects doctors, nurses, Uber drivers and others from civil liability judgments based on claims made in states against abortion.
Also Friday, leaders reaffirmed their efforts to amend the state constitution to ban the state government from denying or interfering with a person’s decision to have an abortion or use contraceptives. This is a two-step process. First, the Senate and the Assembly will have to adopt the amendment by a two-thirds vote. He will then be included on the ballot for the November general elections, where he will need the support of a majority of voters.
The state also provides millions of dollars in grants to providers and health clinics that offer reproductive services to Californians and patients outside the state.
The effort is part of a larger package of 15 bills and budget proposals to expand abortion services. Most have passed the state assembly, but still have to appear before the state senate. They are based on recommendations from the Council on the Future of Abortion, a coalition of groups on reproductive rights, health and justice.
They include:
• AB 1918 establishes the California Reproductive Health Corps at the Department of Health Care Access and Information. It creates more reproductive health providers by recruiting, training and retaining teams assigned to work in underserved areas. He passed the 65-16 Assembly and is now on a Senate committee.
• AB 2091 improves the protection of the confidentiality of medical records related to abortion and ensures that they cannot be summoned by law enforcement or outside the country. It was adopted by Assembly 54-16 and is being considered by the Senate Health Committee.
• AB 2626 protects physicians, midwives, practicing nurses, and medical assistants by not allowing professional counsel to revoke or suspend a license to provide legal abortion care in California or other states. After clearing the Assembly 76-0, it awaits action in the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
“If a patient in a state with severe disabilities seeks my help to get safe abortion care, I would feel compelled to help,” tweeted Dr. Daniel Grossman, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UC San Francisco. “AB 2626 will help ensure that my medical license is not suspended or revoked simply because I provided abortion care that is otherwise legal and safe here in California.”
• AB 2134 establishes the California Reproductive Health Equity Program to provide state-paid abortion and contraception coverage for those seeking care in California and whose household income is at or below 400% of the federal poverty level. It passed the Assembly 53-19 and is under consideration in the Senate Judicial Commission.
• SB 1142 created a one-stop-shop website under the California Department of Health and Human Services that included links to abortion care, postoperative resources, abortion financial support services, and health services resources. After the adoption of the Senate 29-9, the bill awaits action in a committee of the assembly.
• AB 2223 will ensure that no one in the state is investigated, prosecuted or imprisoned for termination of pregnancy or loss of pregnancy. The bill was passed in Assembly 48-21 and is under consideration in the Senate Health Committee.
• SB 1375 will make it easier for practicing nurses to work independently and perform abortions. Passing in the Senate 30-9, he is now waiting in the Committee on Appropriations of the Assembly.
At a news conference on Friday, Newsom promised to sign the bills if they reached his desk, saying “they will improve our values.” … California can play a huge role at this time. ”
– Sacramento Bee reporters Owen Tucker-Smith and Lindsay Holden contributed to this report.
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