- Gibson Martucci
- 916-319-3104
- gibson.martucci@asm.ca.gov
(SACRAMENTO, CA) — On Friday, September 26, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry’s (D-Winters) Assembly Bill 260 (AB 260) into law, enacting urgent protections to preserve access to medication abortion in California and shield patients and providers from hostile out-of-state actions.
“California is again showing we won’t back down in the fight for reproductive freedom,” said Assembly Majority Leader and Legislative Women’s Caucus Chair Aguiar-Curry. “By signing AB 260, Governor Newsom is ensuring that patients and providers in our state are protected from extremist attacks trying to block access to care. Abortion care is healthcare, and in California we are committed to keeping it safe, legal, and accessible for everyone who needs it.”
AB 260 ensures mifepristone—a safe, FDA-approved medication used for more than two decades—remains legal and available in California. The new law also defends healthcare providers, facilities, and patients from politically-motivated lawsuits and enforcement efforts pursued by other states or the federal government. The bill includes an urgency clause which guarantees these protections take effect immediately. The urgency of these safeguards is underscored by ongoing efforts in states to expand bounty-style enforcement against medication abortion.
“As the Trump Administration continues its efforts to restrict access to reproductive health care and defund abortion providers, like Planned Parenthood, who offer the abortion care constitutionally protected in our state, California is fighting back. We thank Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry for her leadership on AB 260, so that patients and providers of abortion care are protected and mifepristone, a safe and effective abortion medication approved by the FDA for over two decades, remains available," said Jodi Hicks, CEO and president of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California.
AB 260 was co-sponsored and supported by leading reproductive rights organizations—including Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, ACCESS Reproductive Justice, Black Women for Wellness Action Project, California Latinas for Reproductive Justice, Essential Access Health, National Health Law Program, Reproductive Freedom for All, Training in Early Abortion for Comprehensive Healthcare, Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Hey Jane, and the Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine—and by statewide leaders including Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and State Treasurer Fiona Ma.
The measure builds upon California’s constitutional commitment to reproductive freedom, affirmed by voters in 2022. With the signing of AB 260, California continues its role as a national leader in protecting reproductive rights and ensuring equitable access to healthcare for all.
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