SCA 10 Heads to November Ballot to be Voted on by Californians
CALIFORNIA – The California Future of Abortion Council (CA FAB Council) Steering Committee organizations, comprised of ACCESS REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE, Black Women for Wellness Action Project, Essential Access Health, NARAL Pro-Choice California, National Health Law Program, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, and Training in Early Abortion for Comprehensive Healthcare (TEACH), released the following statement celebrating the California Assembly for their swift passage and overwhelming support of Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins & Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon’s Constitutional Amendment legislation (SCA 10), which seeks to amend the California State Constitution to explicitly affirm that Californians have the fundamental right to access abortion and contraception:
“With the Supreme Court taking away a constitutional right to abortion on Friday, this swift statewide response to protect abortion and contraception in our state’s constitution is crucial. California must continue to take every step possible to protect access to abortion, that includes this effort to explicitly protect abortion and contraception.”
“The comprehensive effort underway by California reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations in collaboration with California leaders, is the response needed by our state right now to meet this moment of national crisis.”
“We look forward to Californians once again reaffirming their belief in equitable access to essential health care, including abortion care, at the ballot this November.”
SCA 10 (Atkins & Rendon) now heads to the ballot, where it will be voted on by Californians. Polling has shown overwhelming support for abortion care and abortion rights, and found that abortion rights is a particularly motivating factor for Independent voters.
This swift and bold action follows the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Friday in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization—which overturned nearly 50 years of precedent and eliminated the nationwide constitutional right to abortion.
According to the Guttmacher Institute, the impact overturning Roe will have on the country and on California will be enormous. Currently, extreme bans on abortion are in effect in nine states, and many more states across the country are likely to quickly enact severe limits or outright bans on abortion care. That would mean more than 33 million women of reproductive age would no longer have access to abortion services in their home state. Not to mention the implications for criminalization of pregnancy outcomes and the nation’s maternal mortality crisis. California could see an increase of nearly 3,000% in women of reproductive age who would find their nearest abortion provider in California.
The “California Future of Abortion Council” (CA FAB Council) is comprised of reproductive freedom and sexual and reproductive health care allies, partners, and leaders. The CA FAB Council works in collaboration with policymakers, researchers, advocates, providers, patients, and key constituents to determine potential challenges in the state and recommend solutions that will continue to provide access and stability for both Californians and those who may seek services here from out of state. The CA FAB Council allows for those dedicated to protecting reproductive rights and expanding access to sexual and reproductive health care to come together. Learn more here.
