CA Senate Passes Constitutional Amendment Legislation to Protect Access to Abortion + Contraception

CALIFORNIA – The California Future of Abortion Council (CA FAB Council) Steering Committee organizations, comprised of ACCESS REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE, Black Women for Wellness Action Project, Essential Access Health, NARAL Pro-Choice California, National Health Law Program, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, and Training in Early Abortion for Comprehensive Healthcare (TEACH), released the following statement celebrating the California Senate for their swift passage and overwhelming support of Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins’ Senate Constitutional Amendment 10 (SCA 10), which seeks to amend the California State Constitution to explicitly affirm that Californians have the fundamental right to access abortion and contraception:

“The California Senate’s overwhelming and swift support of this historic effort to protect access to abortion and contraception in our state’s constitution is a testament to California’s commitment to ensuring that everyone in our state can get the essential health care they want and need. Passage of SCA 10 is time sensitive. The US Supreme Court is expected to overturn Roe v. Wade any day, and hand down the most consequential decision related to reproductive freedom in a generation.”

“SCA 10 is an important vehicle for reassuring patients in or coming to California that they explicitly have the right obtain abortion and contraceptive services, and sends a clear message that California will continue to lead the way and remain a Reproductive Freedom State despite and in the face of this moment of national crisis.”

“We look forward to working with California Assembly leaders and members to ensure SCA 10 moves quickly so California voters have the opportunity to reaffirm their overwhelming support for abortion care and contraception, and uphold California’s values of access and equity.”

SCA 10 (Atkins & Rendon) now heads to the California Assembly, where it is authored by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and co-authored by 52 California Assemblymembers. This legislative effort is in addition to the California Future of Abortion Council’s comprehensive and forward-thinking legislative package introduced earlier this year, aimed at protecting and expanding access to abortion in California for all who need it.

The U.S. Supreme Court will soon hand down its ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization—a case concerning Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban that directly challenges Roe v. Wade. The leaked draft opinion signals that the Court’s anti-choice supermajority is likely poised to end the constitutional right to abortion as we know it in its ruling.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, the impact overturning Roe will have on the country and on California could be enormous. Twenty-six states across the country are likely to immediately or very quickly enact limits or bans on abortion care. That would mean more than 33 million women of reproductive age would no longer have access to abortion services in their home state. Not to mention the implications for criminalization of pregnancy outcomes and the nation’s maternal mortality crisis. California could see an increase of nearly 3,000% in women of reproductive age who would find their nearest abortion provider in California.

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The “California Future of Abortion Council” (CA FAB Council) is comprised of reproductive freedom and sexual and reproductive health care allies, partners, and leaders. The CA FAB Council works in collaboration with policymakers, researchers, advocates, providers, patients, and key constituents to determine potential challenges in the state and recommend solutions that will continue to provide access and stability for both Californians and those who may seek services here from out of state. The CA FAB Council allows for those dedicated to protecting reproductive rights and expanding access to sexual and reproductive health care to come together. Learn more here.