Governor Newsom Signs Key Reproductive Health Bills, Advocates Vow to Keep Fighting to Expand Access
October 2, 2024
Sacramento, CA — The California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom (CCRF) and the California Future of Abortion Council (FAB Council) Steering Committee are pleased to announce that Governor Newsom has signed 17 key bills that were part of the 2024 Reproductive Freedom Legislative Package. This package was designed to address long-standing disparities in reproductive health care, particularly for historically underserved communities, including people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, families with low incomes, youth, rural residents, people with disabilities, and those who are incarcerated.
For the past three years, CCRF and the FAB Council have collaborated with Governor Newsom and legislative leaders to enact landmark policies aimed at safeguarding reproductive rights and expanding access to equitable, affordable care. These efforts were especially crucial following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, which overturned Roe v. Wade. California has been a national leader in protecting patients and providers, expanding abortion access, and welcoming individuals seeking abortion care from states where reproductive rights are severely restricted or outright banned.
CCRF and the FAB Council Steering Committee are also disappointed that Governor Newsom vetoed nine critical bills that were part of the package. These bills were crafted to address systemic barriers to care, including the need for innovative approaches to health service delivery and preparedness in emergency situations.
“The measures signed into law will help uphold California’s legacy as a beacon of reproductive freedom, but work remains to improve reproductive health equity and address gaps in access to care,” said Sylvia Castillo, Executive Director of the California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom. “Although we are disappointed with the Governor’s decision to veto vital components of the Reproductive Freedom Legislative Package, we look forward to working with him and legislative leaders next year to continue to innovate and expand access to critical health care services, especially for marginalized communities.”
Learn more about the 2024 Reproductive Freedom Legislative Package bills.
The following bills were vetoed by the Governor. Bills marked with an asterisk were supported by the FAB Council.
About CCRF
The California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom (CCRF) is a statewide alliance of organizations dedicated to advancing sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice through education, advocacy, and policy work.
About the FAB Council
The California Future of Abortion (FAB) Council was established to provide leadership and policy recommendations in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The FAB Council’s mission is to safeguard and expand access to abortion care for all Californians and those seeking refuge in the state. In 2024, the FAB Council was incorporated as a special project of CCRF.
Sacramento, CA — The California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom (CCRF) and the California Future of Abortion Council (FAB Council) Steering Committee are pleased to announce that Governor Newsom has signed 17 key bills that were part of the 2024 Reproductive Freedom Legislative Package. This package was designed to address long-standing disparities in reproductive health care, particularly for historically underserved communities, including people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, families with low incomes, youth, rural residents, people with disabilities, and those who are incarcerated.
For the past three years, CCRF and the FAB Council have collaborated with Governor Newsom and legislative leaders to enact landmark policies aimed at safeguarding reproductive rights and expanding access to equitable, affordable care. These efforts were especially crucial following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, which overturned Roe v. Wade. California has been a national leader in protecting patients and providers, expanding abortion access, and welcoming individuals seeking abortion care from states where reproductive rights are severely restricted or outright banned.
CCRF and the FAB Council Steering Committee are also disappointed that Governor Newsom vetoed nine critical bills that were part of the package. These bills were crafted to address systemic barriers to care, including the need for innovative approaches to health service delivery and preparedness in emergency situations.
“The measures signed into law will help uphold California’s legacy as a beacon of reproductive freedom, but work remains to improve reproductive health equity and address gaps in access to care,” said Sylvia Castillo, Executive Director of the California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom. “Although we are disappointed with the Governor’s decision to veto vital components of the Reproductive Freedom Legislative Package, we look forward to working with him and legislative leaders next year to continue to innovate and expand access to critical health care services, especially for marginalized communities.”
Learn more about the 2024 Reproductive Freedom Legislative Package bills.
The following bills were vetoed by the Governor. Bills marked with an asterisk were supported by the FAB Council.
- *AB 2339 (Aguiar-Curry): This bill would have required Medi-Cal to cover asynchronous telehealth services, addressing barriers for individuals who rely on mobile apps and other telehealth modalities to access reproductive health services.
- *AB 2490 (Petrie-Norris): This bill would have established the Reproductive Health Emergency Preparedness Program (RHEPP), which was intended to improve and expand access to reproductive and sexual health care in emergency departments across the state, including critical services for pregnancy loss, miscarriage, and abortion care.
- *AB 2670 (Schiavo and Holden): This bill aimed to raise awareness about California’s robust abortion access resources by requiring the Department of Public Health to publicize the state’s comprehensive abortion access website, "abortion.ca.gov."
- SB 954 (Menjivar): This measure intended to reduce STI rates and improve public health outcomes for youth by making condoms more accessible in schools and communities.
- AB 1895 (Weber): This bill aimed to stem the tide of hospitals closing their labor and delivery wards by requiring community impact assessments and the opportunity for public input prior to any closure.
- AB 2263 (Friedman): The bill proposed a study to assess departmental infrastructure, funding strategies, and target populations for a statewide Guaranteed Income program. The study would have been led by a newly formed Coordinating Council.
- AB 2250 (Weber): This measure intended to make social determinants of health screenings a covered benefit for Medi-Cal beneficiaries.
- AB 2442 (Zbur): This bill would have required specific boards to expedite the licensure process for applicants demonstrating that they intend to provide gender-affirming health care and gender-affirming mental health care.
- AB 3129 (Wood): This bill would have authorized the Attorney General oversight of the relationship between private equity/ corporate entities and health care providers. AB 3129 intended to protect health care access, availability, choice, cost, and quality for California communities across the state.
About CCRF
The California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom (CCRF) is a statewide alliance of organizations dedicated to advancing sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice through education, advocacy, and policy work.
About the FAB Council
The California Future of Abortion (FAB) Council was established to provide leadership and policy recommendations in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The FAB Council’s mission is to safeguard and expand access to abortion care for all Californians and those seeking refuge in the state. In 2024, the FAB Council was incorporated as a special project of CCRF.
