Bill
AB 260
AB 260 requires abortion providers to compile, update, and give patients a list of local post‑abortion counseling options (secular and faith‑based) with penalties for noncompliance
Status & timeline
- Bill number: AB 260 (BDR 40‑211). Introduced in 2025 (first printed Feb 19, 2025; initial reading Jan 16, 2025).
- Enactment: Enrolled and presented to the Governor in September 2025; approved and chaptered Sept 26, 2025 (Chapter 136, Statutes of 2025).
- As introduced, the bill’s statutory effective date is July 1, 2025 (see final legislative history for exact effect date after chaptering and any urgency clause).
Purpose / intent
- Require abortion services providers to proactively compile and distribute local information about post‑abortion counseling and support options, ensuring patients have access to both secular and faith‑based resources; and to authorize state enforcement (including civil penalties) for noncompliance.
Key provisions
- New statutory definitions: defines “abortion,” “abortion services provider,” “medical facility,” “post‑abortion counseling and support services,” and “provider of health care” for the added provisions.
- Provider obligations (Section 8):
- Compile a list of local persons/organizations offering post‑abortion counseling and support (examples specified include professional counseling, peer support groups, spiritual/faith‑based guidance, and medical follow‑up).
- Provide a copy of that list to each patient on whom the provider performs an abortion, either before or immediately after the procedure.
- Display copies of the list in a clearly visible, accessible location (e.g., waiting room or other public area) at the abortion services location.
- Review and update the list at least annually to ensure accuracy.
- Make the list available in printed and digital formats.
- Label the list clearly as “Post‑Abortion Counseling and Support Services” and include a notice that a person may take a list without making any request or inquiry.
- Prohibit exclusion of a counseling provider from the list on the basis of that person’s religious affiliation or beliefs; the list must include services from both secular and faith‑based perspectives.
- Enforcement (Section 9):
- The Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DHHS) is charged with ensuring provider compliance.
- Enforcement approach: written warning for a first violation; civil penalties (up to $1,000) may be imposed for subsequent violations.
- Fiscal and administrative notes:
- Fiscal note: the bill indicates state costs (effect on the state: yes) and that it “may have fiscal impact” on local government.
- The bill declares an unfunded mandate for local government under the applicable statute.
Who is affected
- Primary: abortion services providers (medical facilities, clinics, health care providers performing abortions) who must compile, update, display and distribute the lists and maintain compliance.
- Secondary: patients receiving abortions (will receive proactive resource lists); organizations and individuals offering post‑abortion counseling and support (may be included on lists); the Division of Public and Behavioral Health (charged with enforcement).
- Fiscal impact could affect state and local agencies responsible for oversight or handling complaints.
Procedural / practical impacts
- Creates a low‑dollar civil penalty mechanism for repeated noncompliance; first infractions receive a warning.
- Imposes recurring administrative tasks on providers (annual list review/update; printing/displaying; providing copies to each patient).
- Requires inclusion of a diversity of support perspectives (secular and faith‑based) and forbids excluding providers for religious reasons.
Notes
- The bill text specifies examples of post‑abortion services but leaves scope broad (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual care).
- Because enforcement and penalties are carried out by the Division of Public and Behavioral Health, operational details (e.g., complaint processes, how DHHS compiles or verifies lists) would be shaped by that agency’s implementation.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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