California, abortion, and the United States Supreme Court

On By shelley-henderson

This post was originally published on this site

On Friday, June 24, the United States Supreme Court (SCOTUS) issued a ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade and Casey:

Held: The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives.

Anybody in California vandalizing women’s crisis pregnancy centers, or rioting in response to the ruling, is wildly in error.

No abortion clinics in California are closing because of the SCOTUS ruling.

California’s response to the ruling

The same day as the SCOTUS ruling overtuning Roe, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following news release:

On the heels of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Governor Gavin Newsom [on July 24] signed legislation to help protect patients and providers in California against radical attempts by other states to extend their anti-abortion laws into California.

“With today’s Supreme Court decision to endanger the health and safety of millions of women across the country, California must do everything it can to protect the fundamental rights of all women – in California and beyond,” said Governor Newsom. “We know that states like Missouri are already targeting women seeking abortions in states like California where abortion remains legal. This legislation seeks to protect women and care providers from civil liability imposed by other states, and sends a clear message that California will continue to be a safe haven for all women seeking reproductive health care services in our state.”

The Governor signed AB 1666 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda), which seeks to protect those in California from civil liability for providing, aiding, or receiving abortion care in the state. The measure comes as lawmakers in Missouri advance a proposal to allow private citizens to sue Missouri residents who have an abortion out of state, as well as their providers and anyone who assists them in seeking an abortion. Texas has enacted a six-week ban on abortion with a private right of action enabling individuals to sue abortion providers and others. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has introduced a federal bill to exclude employers from receiving tax breaks if they provide abortion access to their employees.

…

Governor Newsom has proposed a $125 million Reproductive Health Package to expand access for women and help prepare for the influx of women seeking reproductive health care from other states. In addition, the California Legislature has introduced a constitutional amendment to enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution. Governor Newsom recently signed legislation eliminating co-pays for abortion care services and has signed into law a legislative package to further strengthen access and protect patients and providers.

(Emphasis added.)

Note that the California Legislature cannot amend the State Constitution on its own. The Legislature can propose an amendment to “enshrine” the right to abortion, but the amendment must be approved by a vote of the people.