PPAC Sponsored Bills Signed Into Law Strengthen Reproductive Health Care Access in California

October 1, 2024

Shelby McMichael, Communications Manager

SACRAMENTO – With the 2024 legislative session now finished, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California is proud to announce that three sponsored bills have been signed into law by Governor Newsom. PPAC’s legislative package this year focused on further protecting and expanding access to reproductive health care and gender-affirming care in California.

The following bills are now California law: 

1. SB 1131 authored by Senator Lena Gonzalez streamlines family planning program certification by addressing barriers to the Family PACT program’s clinic certification process to improve the ability for health care providers to serve almost 2 million Californians who rely on Family PACT.
2. AB 2099 authored by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan strengthens the enforcement of the FACE Act by updating penalties for FACE Act violations that intimidate and hinder patients from accessing constitutionally protected sexual and reproductive health care and providers from providing that care. 
3. AB 2085 authored by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan prohibits municipal interference with the delivery of reproductive health care services by streamlining ministerial approval for the development of new community health centers in California. 

“With the impending election and ongoing uncertainty on abortion access nationwide, California is continuing to take steps to ensure people seeking reproductive health care in our state can access the care they need and deserve without stigma, delay, or interference,” said PPAC CEO/President Jodi Hicks. “The three PPAC sponsored bills now law are essential to eliminating barriers patients may face in accessing reproductive health care by improving how Family PACT providers are able to serve low-income Californians, ensuring new reproductive health care centers can be built, especially in underserved communities, and protecting patients and providers from anti-abortion extremists’ hostile opposition.”

Unfortunately, two of our co-sponsored bills were vetoed by Governor Newsom:

1. AB 2339 authored by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry to Improve Access to Telehealth: Would have expanded Medi-Cal coverage of asynchronous telehealth services for sensitive services and addressed barriers to accessing care via health care mobile apps and other asynchronous modalities for the nearly 15 million Californians on Medi-Cal. 

• Read our full statement in conjunction with The National Law Program on Governor Newsom’s veto of AB 2339 here.

1. AB 2442 authored by Assemblymember Rick Zbur to Expedite Licensure for Providers committed to providing Gender-Affirming Care: Would have ensured that licensure applications for providers of gender-affirming care were prioritized to ensure a robust network of health care providers in the state.

• Read our full statement in conjunction with Equality California on Governor Newsom’s veto of AB 2442 here.

“We are deeply disappointed by Governor Newsom’s vetoes of AB 2339 and 2442– two pieces of legislation that are critical to the services provided at Planned Parenthood health centers across the state,” continued Hicks. “In order to achieve true equity within California’s health care system, patients must be able to conveniently and promptly access the care they need.”

Additionally, we are pleased to announce that our co-sponsored bill with Equality California and Trans Family Support Services, SB 959 (Menjivar), has been implemented through proactive administrative action. The new Department of Managed Health Care website page on Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, and Intersex (TGI) care will enable TGI individuals to learn about their health care rights, address insurance coverage for gender-affirming care, and access other critical resources as they navigate the health care system.

“While the entirety of our sponsored bill package did not become law, we look forward to continuing to work with the Governor and Legislature next legislative session to advocate for all patients and build on our nation-leading work to provide reproductive, sexual, and gender-affirming care to California’s most vulnerable communities,” concluded Hicks.

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