California Gov. Signs Bill Allowing Minors to Hide Abortions from Parents

CA. Gov. Gavin Newsom
photo credit: Gage Skidmore / Flickr

On Sept. 22, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two pro-abortion bills. One makes it easier for minors to hide abortions and transgender procedures from their parents, while the other places restrictions on pro-life activists and protestors.

“California has been a leader in protecting access to sexual and reproductive rights, but as we’ve seen recently with unprecedented attacks on these rights, we can and must do more,” Newsom said in a statement, alluding to the recent Texas Heartbeat Act.

California A.B. 1184 allows minors and adults up to age 26 who are still on their parents' health insurance plans to conceal "sensitive" procedures from the policyholder. These include abortions, puberty blockers, and transgender hormones. Furthermore, the law forbids healthcare providers from requiring policy-holders to approve procedures. Healthcare workers who provide "sensitive" information to policyholders or enrollees against the will of the "protected individual" would be guilty of a crime.

California A.B. 1356 can make pro-life activists guilty of a crime if they film within 100 feet of an abortion business. The only stipulation is that a judge must find the purpose of filming to be "intimidation." Additionally, posting personal information or images of abortion-seeking women, clinic volunteers, or clinic employees can be punished by a fine of $10,000 and up to a year in jail.

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