California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced two legislative measures aimed at safeguarding reproductive healthcare in the state. The Medication Abortion Access bill, co-authored by Assemblymember Maggy Krell and Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, seeks to ensure continued access to abortion care, including medication abortion. It aims to protect manufacturers, distributors, healthcare providers, and individuals from liability when involved in legally administering medication abortions within California.
Bonta emphasized the importance of maintaining reproductive rights amidst concerns over potential federal changes: “As a father of two incredible young women... I want to make it unequivocally clear: California will remain a safe haven for reproductive rights and access to abortion care."
Assemblymember Akilah Weber highlighted the necessity of comprehensive healthcare access for women: “It is our job as legislators to ensure that women have access to comprehensive healthcare and that decisions about her reproductive health remain between her and her physician.”
The second legislative proposal allows the Attorney General to enforce penalties on local governments that obstruct abortion providers from establishing operations in their areas. This move comes after instances like Beverly Hills’ interference with an abortion provider's ability to open a clinic.
Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan stated, "By empowering the Attorney General to enforce the Reproductive Privacy Act, this legislation ensures that our laws are more than words on paper—they are protections in practice."
Jodi Hicks of Planned Parenthood expressed concern over threats from an incoming federal administration: “For two decades, anti-abortion extremists have targeted Mifepristone... We know the incoming Trump administration... threaten pregnant people’s access.”
Shannon Olivieri Hovis from Essential Access Health underscored the urgency for such state actions: “Bold state action like that in Medical Abortion Access is urgently needed...”
Both bills aim to provide legal protection against federal attempts to limit medication abortions. They will also hold accountable any government entities violating Californians' reproductive rights.
Attorney General Bonta remains committed to defending these rights both within California and nationwide through various legal actions.