SAN FRANCISCO – Californians' fundamental right to make private childbearing decisions free of government interference will become law today as Governor Gray Davis signs a historic bill that is widely supported by a broad coalition of women's groups, health-care providers, pro-choice organizations and civil rights organizations. The Governor will sign the bill at a ceremony in San Francisco today.

The Reproductive Privacy Act, SB 1301, by Senator Sheila Kuehl, replaces California's antiquated and largely unconstitutional 1967 abortion law with a new statute that reflects the constitutional principles of Roe v. Wade. It protects Californians' right to choose abortion, right to use birth control and right to bear a child. The new law provides women greater access to early non-surgical abortion methods by expanding the pool of qualified clinicians authorized to provide non-surgical abortions.

"This reform legislation is timely, long overdue, and necessary to protect reproductive freedom for future generations," said Margaret Crosby, staff attorney with the ACLU of Northern California. "The bill makes new abortion technology accessible to California women, repeals a restrictive abortion law that has been unconstitutional for 30 years, and writes Roe v. Wade principles into California law- so that California women will retain fundamental reproductive rights even if the Supreme Court overturns Roe." The ACLU and Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California worked closely with Senator Kuehl in drafting SB 1301. 

The new law treats abortion consistently with other medical procedures, eliminating the stigma the law has historically placed on abortion services and establishes as California's public policy that each individual has the right to make private childbearing decisions free of government interference. 

"The people of California deserved a reproductive privacy law that mirrors their respect for the Constitution and their desire for reproductive freedom," said Senator
Kuehl. "Once again California is taking the lead in the national forum on the issues of reproductive choice."

The bill was co-authored by 48 Senators and Assembly members.