2023 Legislation

SB 385 – Physician Assistant Abortion Training:  Better aligns abortion training to physician assistants’ scope of practice and clears pathways for physician assistants to meet requirements to perform aspiration abortions. The bill further allows physician assistants to perform aspiration abortions without the direct supervision of a physician. The bill widens access to abortion services by increasing the number of practitioners available to provide this critically needed care. Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 8, 2023.

SB 447 – BRIDGE Project: Creates a fund to be used to create non-partisan, inclusive messaging, discourage discrimination, and help members of the LGBTQ+ community feel less isolated. Called the BRIDGE Project – Building and Reinforcing Inclusive, Diverse, Gender-Supportive Equality – the legislation helps California champion compassion and help build bridges to unite and unify communities. The bill also lifted California's travel ban. Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 13, 2023.

SB 487 – Abortion Provider Protections: Ensures that a health insurer or health care service plan cannot discriminate nor penalize a licensed California health care provider solely based on providing abortion or gender-affirming care services. Additionally, Medi-Cal will not be able to automatically suspend a provider’s license when they are suspended by a Medicaid program in another state for performing abortion or gender affirming care services. The bill does not shield a provider from facing suspension or other consequences for any other wrongful, unprofessional, or illegal acts, as determined through existing law. Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 27, 2023.

SB 519 – Board of State & Community Corrections: Promotes safety in county detention facilities and ensures more transparent oversight of the Sheriff’s Departments that oversees them by allowing county supervisors to request investigations into jail deaths by a special monitor at the Board of State and Community Corrections and requiring sheriff’s department to release records regarding jail death investigations. Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 4, 2023.