A controversial bill in California that seeks to broaden access to abortion is advancing in the state Legislature after passing important committees, largely along party lines.
The 1973 Congressional Bill, brought forth by Rep. Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and co-authored by Rep. Dawn Pellerin, moved on from committee last week and is now headed to the House Appropriations Committee, a key step before a full vote in Congress.
This legislation aims to amend parts of the California Business and Professions Code, which would represent a significant change in the state’s abortion regulations.
Presently, the law permits nurses, certified nurse midwives, and physician assistants to perform specific abortions, but only within the first trimester and typically with narrower definitions, mainly focusing on medication or aspiration methods.
AB 1973 would eliminate that first-trimester restriction altogether.
If enacted, the bill would allow healthcare professionals, other than physicians, to conduct “procedural abortions” after the first trimester, provided they are properly trained and operate within their skills.
Opponents, such as Greg Burt, president of the Family Council of California, expressed concern, stating this could endanger women, particularly those in rural areas lacking direct access to doctors. He noted the bill’s potential impact on women in impoverished regions.
Burt also remarked, “Even pro-choice advocates might still see the need for safe abortion practices, and that’s not guaranteed here.”
The proposed law further expands the language from specific methods to a more general term of “induced abortion,” alongside a requirement for providers to show clinical competency via approved training programs.
Supporters say this bill directly tackles ongoing inequalities in accessing abortion care, especially in underserved areas.
Aguiar-Curry stated, “We already have a capable workforce ready to provide this care, but current limits hinder that potential.”
She emphasized that nurses, certified nurse midwives, and advanced practice clinicians have extensive training, allowing them to safely deliver a range of reproductive health services in California today. “Yet, the law hasn’t kept pace,” she added.
Tania Bas Serna, an experienced obstetrician, echoed these sentiments during the hearing, asserting, “Abortion remains safe when performed by qualified clinicians with the same level of care as traditional physicians.”
However, critics warn that the proposed changes might endanger patients, especially concerning complicated later-stage procedures.
Registered nurse Mindy Heltzel voiced her opposition, citing her own experience in high-risk obstetrics. She explained, “Second- and third-trimester abortions are complex procedures. Complications can escalate quickly, requiring immediate and experienced intervention.”
The legislation allows certain healthcare providers to operate without physician supervision, but it does include requirements for nurses and certified nurse midwives to put in place consultation, referral, and care transfer protocols in emergencies.
Currently, AB 1973 is moving through California’s legislative process.
Introduced in February, the bill was debated in a policy committee hearing where both supporters and opponents voiced their views. With committee approval secured, it now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee to evaluate its fiscal effects.
If it passes this stage, the bill will move to a vote in Congress, and subsequently, it needs approval from the state Senate and the governor to become law.
Burt noted that the only lawmaker present during the testimony was Rep. Mia Bonta, the wife of California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta.
He raised a poignant question: “Why is abortion given a special exemption when no one would consider allowing nurses to perform cancer surgeries for expanding access?”
This discussion falls within the larger context of abortion laws in California.
Currently, abortion is permitted in California until the fetus reaches viability, generally understood to be between 24 and 26 weeks. After viability, abortions can only be conducted if necessary for the health or life of the pregnant individual.
The national spotlight on this issue intensified following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on June 24, 2022, overturning Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, thereby ending nearly five decades of federal abortion protections and placing lawmaking authority back in the hands of the states.
The bill is now with the Assembly Appropriations Committee, which will assess its financial implications before deciding its fate.
If it receives approval, AB 1973 will likely remain a significant and contentious topic of debate in Sacramento for the coming months.
