Access to Safe Abortion Care Act.

Abortion Healthcare Privacy

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Krell (A) , Aguiar-Curry
Last action: 2025-09-10
Official status: Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator Umberg.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's status is uncertain due to being ordered to an inactive file, which may affect its future implementation.

Access to Safe Abortion Care Act

This act clarifies that medications used for abortion are legal and protects individuals from civil or criminal penalties related to their use.

What This Bill Does

It confirms that the drugs mifepristone and misoprostol, which can be used to end a pregnancy, have been and will continue to be legal in California.
It states there should not be any civil or criminal punishment for people who access or administer these medications.
The act also protects healthcare providers from facing professional disciplinary action if they help someone obtain these medications.

Who It Names or Affects

Pregnant individuals seeking abortion through medication.
Healthcare providers involved in prescribing or administering abortion pills.
Individuals who assist others in obtaining abortion pills.

Terms To Know

Medication abortion: A type of abortion that uses drugs, like mifepristone and misoprostol, to end a pregnancy.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not address potential future federal laws affecting these medications.
This legislation has been passed by the California Legislature but was ordered to an inactive file, meaning it may not become law without further action.
It applies only within the state of California.

Bill History

2025-09-10 California Legislative Information
Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator Umberg.
2025-08-20 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-08-19 California Legislative Information
From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.
2025-07-16 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (July 15). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-07-01 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
2025-06-30 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 9. Noes 1.) (June 25).
2025-06-11 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2025-05-21 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on HEALTH and JUD.
2025-05-13 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2025-05-12 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 61. Noes 10. Page 1517.)
2025-05-08 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-07 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 1.) (May 7).
2025-04-30 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 1.) (April 29). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-04-30 California Legislative Information
Coauthors revised.
2025-04-09 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
2025-04-09 California Legislative Information
Coauthors revised.
2025-03-18 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on HEALTH.
2025-03-17 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HEALTH. Read second time and amended.
2025-03-17 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on HEALTH and JUD.
2024-12-03 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee January 2.
2024-12-02 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 54, as amended, Krell.
Access to Safe Abortion Care Act.
Existing law sets forth provisions, under the California Constitution, regarding the fundamental right to choose to have an abortion. Existing law, the Reproductive Privacy Act, prohibits the state from denying or interfering with a pregnant person’s right to choose or obtain an abortion prior to viability of the fetus, or when the abortion is necessary to protect the life or health of the pregnant person.
This bill, the Access to Safe Abortion Care Act, would make legislative findings about medication abortion, with a focus on use of the drugs mifepristone and misoprostol. Under the bill, the Legislature would reaffirm that it has been, and would continue to be, lawful to cause the delivery of, or mail, ship, take, receive, or otherwise transport, any drug, medicine, or instrument that can be designed or adapted to produce an abortion that is
lawful in the State of California.
The bill would set forth provisions regarding the lack of civil or criminal liability, or professional disciplinary action, for accessing or administering
brand name or generic
mifepristone
or misoprostol, among other certain conduct,
or any drug used for medication abortion that is lawful under the laws of the state,
on or after January 1, 2020, with this provision applied retroactively, as specified.
The bill would make its provisions severable.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF