California governor bolsters state's reproductive freedoms, access

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CN) — A series of bills signed Friday by California Governor Gavin Newsom is intended to expand reproductive freedom in the state.

Newsom has previously signed a handful of bills meant to strengthen the Golden State’s reproductive freedoms since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson decision, which ended the federal constitutional right to an abortion.

On Friday, the governor added to that list, inking his name on bills that will allow health care providers to prescribe abortion care medication to people anonymously, among other things.

“California stands for a woman’s right to choose,” Newsom said in a statement. “I’m proud to sign these bills to protect access to essential health care and shield patients and health care providers in the face of amplified attacks on the fundamental right to reproductive freedom.”

One of the bills — Assembly Bill 45, written by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan — creates restrictions on geofencing near health care facilities. Geofencing is the creation of a virtual area that enables the collection of someone’s data from their electronic device.

It also prohibits the collection, use, sale and retention of information from someone at a family planning center, barring certain conditions. It also bolsters privacy protections, stopping any release of personally identifiable information if a subpoena requiring disclosure conflicts with California standards.

“In our current political climate where reproductive freedoms are constantly under threat, personal data privacy has become a key mechanism for defending access to health care,” Bauer-Kahan, an Orinda Democrat, said in a bill analysis.

Assembly Bill 1525 — written by the Assembly Judiciary Committee — also provides privacy protections. It’s intended to shield attorneys from state bar repercussions when helping other states access reproductive care.

An attorney can face suspension or disbarment if convicted of a felony in another state. However, health care services related to reproductive health wouldn’t be cause for sanctions under the newly signed bill.

A third bill — Assembly Bill 260, written by Winters Democratic Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry — allows health care providers to prescribe abortion care medication anonymously. The governor’s office said that means health plans regulated by the state can cover mifepristone, also known as the abortion pill, regardless of its status with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“With the governor’s signature on AB 260, California will continue to be a national leader in protecting reproductive and privacy rights,” Aguiar-Curry said in a statement.

The final bill — Assembly Bill 50, written by Assemblymember Mia Bonta, an Oakland Democrat — tweaks the rules for pharmacists who furnish certain over-the-counter medications.

Pharmacists already can provide self-administered hormonal contraception, but must follow standardized procedures. That’s a barrier to some patients.

Bonta’s bill means a pharmacist can offer over-the-counter contraceptives without the standardized procedures required for prescription medication.

The reason for the bill comes down to money and access.

State law requires over-the-counter contraceptive coverage. However, Medi-Cal only covers such contraceptives if they’re prescribed, which creates a barrier to access those with private insurance don’t have.

The bill will ensure Medi-Cal recipients can access over-the-counter medication.

“Today, even in California, access to abortion and reproductive health care hangs in the balance,” said Jodi Hicks, CEO and president of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, in a statement. “President Trump’s administration and Republican members of Congress continue to attack reproductive health care access on all fronts, including ongoing threats to medication abortion and already successfully defunding all 109 Planned Parenthood health centers in California. And we know they won’t stop there.”

Newsom has 30 days after the Legislature’s final day of session to sign or veto bills on his desk. However, an extra day was added this year — the deadline is now Oct. 13 — because the Legislature extended its session by a day.