'Against the draconian laws': CA senator’s new legislation would allow doctors to mail abortion pills

19 March 2023

California State Senator Nancy Skinner, a Democrat, recently introduced a bill that would allow doctors to deliver abortion pills to out-of-state patients where the medication may be banned, Axios reports.

Per Axios, the legislation "would only apply to California doctors."

In a press release announcing the bill introduction, Skinner said, "Medication abortion is widely used and proven to be safe and effective, but with more and more states criminalizing reproductive health care providers and patients, access to this FDA-approved treatment and other services is being further restricted every day. Contraception and medication for gender-affirming care are also under attack."

The senator continued, "Under SB 345, California health care practioners will be able to provide essential reproductive and gender-affirming care that is legal in California, regardless of their patient’s geographic location, knowing that California is doing everything it can to protect them against the draconian laws of other states."

Regarding the legislation's "protections for doctors who mail services for contraception or gender-affirming care," Axios reports:

For instance, an individual who travels to or lives in Texas could request and be prescribed abortion medication or contraception from a California medical provider, per Skinner's office.

“This is essential health care,” Skinner told Associated Press. “Our health care practitioners should be protected for treating their patients regardless of where their patients are geographically."

Associated Press reports:

Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Maryland and Vermont have proposed or passed similar laws, according to Skinner's office. Connecticut's law, among other things, blocks criminal summonses from other states related to reproductive health care services that are legal in Connecticut while also blocking extradition — unless the person fled from a state requesting them.

Axios' full report is available at this link. Associated Press' report is here.

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