Women's Health Legislation
The latest news on laws that impact women's health — stay informed on what's happening now.
Abortion Medication Access on College Campuses
I'd be happy to help summarize an article about abortion medication services on Colorado college campuses, but I don't see the actual article text in your message. Could you please provide the article content that you'd like me to summarize? Once you share it, I'll create a clear, concise summary using HTML formatting as requested.Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act
# SummaryThis bill proposes changes to the Public Health Service Act aimed at improving reproductive health care specifically for people with disabilities. The legislation recognizes that individuals with disabilities often face barriers in accessing quality reproductive health services and seeks to address these gaps in care.
The bill focuses on ensuring that people with disabilities receive equitable, accessible reproductive health services. This includes addressing physical accessibility in clinics, providing information in formats that accommodate different disabilities, and training healthcare providers to work effectively with disabled patients. The goal is to remove obstacles that prevent individuals with disabilities from receiving the same reproductive health care options available to others.
By amending the Public Health Service Act, the legislation aims to strengthen the healthcare system's ability to serve this population better, recognizing their unique needs and rights to comprehensive reproductive health care.
Supporting the designation of the week of April 11 through April 17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health Week", founded by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. (BMMA), to bring national attention to the maternal and reproductive health crisis in the United State
Congress is supporting the official designation of April 11-17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health Week." This week was founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) to raise awareness about serious health problems affecting Black women and pregnant people in the United States.
The main focus of this week is to address the maternal health crisis and work toward reducing the number of deaths and serious health complications among Black mothers and pregnant individuals. By creating a designated national week, the goal is to draw greater attention to these important public health issues and encourage action to improve outcomes for Black women and birthing people.
Public health: public postsecondary education: student health centers: abortion by medication techniques.
Assembly Bill 2540, introduced in the California Legislature in February 2026, is legislation focused on protecting reproductive rights in the state. The bill expresses the Legislature's intent to strengthen and safeguard individuals' fundamental right to make personal decisions about their own reproductive health care.
California already has a law called the Reproductive Privacy Act that recognizes reproductive privacy as a fundamental right. This act covers a wide range of reproductive health matters, including pregnancy care (prenatal, childbirth, and postpartum), contraception, sterilization, abortion, miscarriage management, and infertility treatment. AB 2540 builds on this existing protection by reaffirming the state's commitment to these reproductive rights.
The bill is a statement of legislative intent rather than a substantive law change itself. It signals that lawmakers plan to introduce additional legislation designed to further protect and affirm individuals' rights to make their own reproductive health decisions without government interference.
Contraceptives: Insurance Coverage
This legislation addresses insurance coverage requirements for contraceptives and related services. The act establishes rules about how insurance plans must handle contraceptive medications, devices, and services.
The law also covers medical assistance programs, ensuring that contraceptive coverage extends to people receiving government-funded healthcare benefits. This means both private insurance and public assistance programs are required to follow the same standards for contraceptive coverage.
The act includes an effective date provision, meaning these new coverage requirements take effect on a specified date rather than immediately upon passage. The specific effective date would be outlined elsewhere in the legislation.
Higher Education Institutions - Over-the-Counter Contraception - Access and Reporting
Contraception Access Requirements
Maryland is implementing new rules to improve access to contraception on college campuses. All public senior colleges and community colleges must submit yearly reports to the Maryland Higher Education Commission by September 1st detailing their contraception access policies and practices.
Reporting and Oversight
The Higher Education Commission then compiles this information and submits its own report to the General Assembly by October 1st each year. This ensures state lawmakers are informed about contraception availability across Maryland's higher education system.
Community College Requirements
Community colleges specifically are required to provide students with access to all over-the-counter contraceptive methods. This requirement ensures students at these institutions have direct access to birth control options without barriers.
Contraception; definitions, establishes right to obtain, applicability, enforcement.
Purpose of the Bill
This bill proposes adding a new chapter to Virginia law that protects the right to obtain and use contraception. It establishes that both patients have the right to access contraceptives and healthcare providers have the right to provide them and share related information. The law would apply to all FDA-approved contraceptive methods, including birth control pills, intrauterine devices, emergency contraceptives, condoms, and other similar products.
Legal Protections
The bill prohibits Virginia and local governments from enforcing any law, regulation, or policy that limits, delays, or blocks access to contraceptives. The only exception would be if a restriction could be proven to significantly improve safety and could not be achieved through a less restrictive approach. The law also prevents contraceptives from being treated differently than other medically similar products in a way that makes them harder to obtain or use.
Enforcement and Legal Action
The bill allows the Virginia Attorney General, individual patients, healthcare providers, and affected entities to file lawsuits against anyone who violates these protections. If a court finds a violation, it can declare the violating law or policy unlawful and issue court orders to stop the violation. Courts may also award other appropriate legal remedies.
Higher Education Institutions - Over-the-Counter Contraception - Access and Reporting
Maryland is implementing new requirements for higher education institutions to improve student access to contraception. All public senior colleges and community colleges must now submit annual reports to the Maryland Higher Education Commission documenting their contraception access policies and services.
The Maryland Higher Education Commission will then compile this information and submit its own annual report to the state legislature beginning October 1, 2026. This reporting requirement ensures ongoing oversight and transparency about contraception availability on campuses.
Additionally, community colleges are specifically required to provide students with access to all over-the-counter contraception methods. This direct requirement ensures that students at these institutions have practical access to birth control options without barriers.
Supporting the recognition of March 14, 2026, as "Black Midwives Day" and the longstanding and invaluable contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the United States.
Purpose: This resolution officially recognizes March 14, 2026, as "Black Midwives Day" to honor the important work of Black midwives in the United States.
Main Focus: The resolution celebrates the historical and ongoing contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health. Black midwives have played a significant role in providing healthcare and support to mothers and babies, particularly within Black communities, for many decades.
Significance: By establishing this recognition day, the resolution aims to acknowledge the valuable expertise, dedication, and impact that Black midwives have had on public health. This official designation brings attention to their often-overlooked contributions to improving maternal and infant health outcomes across the country.