Newsom's reproductive-health package passed on divided votes, and his office framed it against Trump
Sept. 27, 2026 — Gov. Gavin Newsom signed nine reproductive-health bills Sunday, one of several themed packages he announced that weekend, including 10 gun bills Saturday, as his Sept. 30 deadline to act on this year's bills approached. His office cast the signing as a response to the Trump administration, about five weeks before the Nov. 3 general election.
The most debated, AB 1973, removes a first-trimester limit on abortions performed by nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives and physician assistants, allowing procedures within each license and training. Those providers must keep procedures for consulting with physicians and transferring complex cases. State law continues to protect abortion before fetal viability, and later only when needed to protect the patient's life or health.
The votes were divided. AB 1973 passed the Assembly 53-16 and the Senate 29-10. The California Family Council, which opposed it, said an April committee vote broke along party lines and that the change allows non-physicians to perform second- and third-trimester procedures. Supporters, including an OB-GYN who testified for the bill, said trained clinicians would help patients get timely care wherever they live.
Other bills in the package make medication abortion available at community college health centers, expand abortion care for veterans, drop Medi-Cal preauthorization for lactation care and give firefighters 26 weeks of paid maternity leave.
The wall: Vote counts for the other eight bills were not given in the governor's release.
Tier: Confirmed (based on the governor's release and AB 1973's vote record)
Corrections
- Corrected Oct. 3, 2026: the notes on what this story is based on and what remains unknown were revised for clarity. The facts are unchanged.
Sources
- Governor's release
- LegiScan AB 1973 votes
- AB 1973 summary (Digital Democracy)
- Reproductive Privacy Act, as recited in AB 260
- Assembly Health hearing, April 21, 2026
- California Family Council
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