1850 Crimes and Punishments Act
Prohibits abortion except when necessary to save a woman’s life
1959
People v. Ballard
Establishes that threat to a woman’s life need not be imminent or certain
1953
People v. Buffum
Allows “steerers” to help women plan and seek abortions in Mexico
1961
First bill introduced legalizing abortion
Dies in committee
1966
San Francisco Nine
State Medical Examiners Board threatens medical licenses of 9 doctors for performing abortions on women infected with rubella
1967
California Therapeutic
Abortion Act
Legalizes abortion to protect the physical or mental health of a woman or in the case of rape or incest
1969
People v. Belous
The state constitutional right to an abortion is upheld for the first time in California
1971
Abortion numbers skyrocket
California reports the number of abortions is doubling every six months
1973
Roe v. Wade
U.S. Supreme Court establishes a woman’s right to an abortion under the 14th Amendment
1981
Medi-Cal coverage reinstated
California Supreme Court rules that Medi-Cal cannot restrict abortion coverage
1987
Parental consent required
Legislature requires parental consent or court authorization for minors seeking abortion
1997
Parental consent overturned
State Supreme Court rules the parental consent requirement unconstitutional
2000
Mifepristone approved
FDA approves the first abortion pill
2003
Reproductive Privacy Act
Establishes the right to seek an abortion for any reason prior to fetal viability, and allows mid-level clinicians to provide abortion pills.
2013
Access to providers expanded
Law allows certified nurse midwives, physicians assistants and nurse practitioners to perform first trimester abortions
2018
Gov. Jerry Brown vetoes university abortion act
Brown vetoes a law requiring public universities to provide abortion pills
2018
U.S. Supreme Court blocks California law
A first: US Supreme Court rebukes state on abortion, rejecting its rule that faith-based ‘crisis pregnancy centers’ provide abortion info
2019
College Student Right to Access Act
Gov. Gavin Newsom signs the reintroduced bill requiring public universities to provide abortion pills at no cost
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