Access to Safe Abortion Care Act.

Assembly Members Krell and Aguiar-Curry's Access to Safe Abortion Care Act reaffirms California's legal framework for medication abortion while establishing new protections for healthcare providers and others involved in abortion care. The legislation explicitly permits the transport, delivery, and administration of medications used for legal abortions within California, including mifepristone and misoprostol.

The bill creates immunity from civil and criminal liability for manufacturers, distributors, healthcare providers, pharmacists, and individuals who handle or administer medication abortion drugs in accordance with state law and accepted standards of care. These protections apply retroactively to January 1, 2020. The bill's findings note that medication abortion now accounts for over 60 percent of U.S. abortions, with California institutions like University of California medical centers routinely providing these services.

This legislation responds to ongoing legal challenges to medication abortion access, including Missouri et al. v. U.S. FDA et al., which concerns federal approval of mifepristone. The bill includes a severability clause ensuring that if any provision is invalidated, the remaining sections remain in effect. While requiring fiscal committee review, the act requires no state appropriations or changes to local programs.