CALIFORNIA, USA — California lawmakers want to help Arizonians get abortions in California. Governor Gavin Newsom and the state's women's caucus made an emergency announcement on the topic as the door to abortion access in Arizona closes.
Just two weeks after the Arizona Supreme Court ruled to ban abortion and threaten doctors who perform abortions with criminal prosecution, Senate Bill 233 was announced on Wednesday.
"We have passed legislation to expand to protect, to strengthen access to reproductive health, health care in our state, including access to safe abortions to all Californians and refugees from other states seeking such care," said Asm. Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Davis).
This bill, if passed, would temporarily allow licensed Arizona doctors to perform abortion services for Arizona women traveling to California. Because of the urgency clause, the changes could take effect June 8.
"One thing it all has in common, guys like (Justice) Alito. It's men, determining the fate and future women," said Gov. Newsom.
The governor's office says the state has seen about a 37% increase in abortion services between 2020 and 2023 in part, because people are having a hard time finding abortion access in their state.
Since the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade in 2022, the governor has pushed for abortion access to be enshrined in California's Constitution. He's also approved tens of millions of taxpayer dollars and signed other laws to help protect women from other states.
Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Oakland) also said there are legal protections for women and physicians.
"California will protect the privacy of any Arizona medical professionals that come here under this law, so it's built in," she said.
On Monday, thousands of people gathered in front of the state Capitol marching for life, demanding California lawmakers to support the anti-abortion movement.
Jeanne Mancini, President of March for Life provided ABC10 with a statement:
"Having just completed our 4th annual CA March for Life on Monday, the need for educating women and families on support for mothers facing unexpected pregnancies is even more important. Rather then even allow the public schools to include information on pregnancy care and support in the sex ed programs, Governor Newsom is now expanding abortion tourism even further than before. Women who are facing an expected pregnancy should be able to have real choices and real information."
Governor Newsom responded by saying, "Spare me this freedom gospel. Spare me pro-life, really?"
There are eight republicans on the women's' caucus, none of them were at Wednesday's announcement. ABC10 called every one of them, and some of their staff said they didn't know anything about this emergency legislation.
Asm. Diane Dixon (R-Newport Beach) provided ABC10 with a statement:
"My invitation to the press conference this afternoon must have gotten lost in the mail. Instead of worrying about another state’s issues, the Governor and the Legislature should focus their time on reducing crime, addressing homelessness and figuring out how to solve the $73 billion deficit crisis."
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