WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

AB 1500

Sexual and reproductive health information.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pilar Schiavo

AB 1500 requires DPH to partner with a CA nonprofit to maintain a comprehensive abortion/SRH info site, updated at least quarterly, with outreach and community input.

From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
#sexualandreproductivehealthinformation
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AB 1500

AB 1500 (Schiavo) — Summary: Sexual and reproductive health information

Status: In committee — Held under submission (last action 2025-05-23)
Introduced: February 21, 2025

Purpose / Intent

AB 1500 directs the State Department of Public Health (DPH) to strengthen and regularly maintain California’s public internet hub for abortion and broader sexual and reproductive health information (the site created in response to the Dobbs decision, e.g., Abortion.CA.Gov). The bill responds to increased misinformation and the removal of federally hosted clinical and public‑health resources by ensuring California’s site is comprehensive, medically accurate, community‑informed, and updated more frequently.

Key provisions

  • Requires DPH to partner with a California‑based nonprofit to update and maintain the state internet website that provides information on abortion and related reproductive health services.
    • The nonprofit must have: content expertise; extensive SRH (sexual and reproductive health) partnerships; experience sharing clinical guidance with providers; and experience maintaining community‑informed public websites.
  • Expands required website content to include:
    • Legally protected rights regarding abortion and the full range of sexual and reproductive health services (including minors’ rights).
    • Locations of abortion providers (or links) with clearly posted, up‑to‑date location information.
    • Practical support services (airfare, lodging, ground transport, gas, meals, dependent childcare, doula support, translation services).
    • Payment support resources (coverage options, state programs, other financial assistance).
    • General descriptions of available types of abortion and other SRH services.
    • Information to counter misinformation and disinformation.
    • Sexual and reproductive health information historically available on federal websites (e.g., evidence‑based clinical guidelines and public health data).
  • Requires the partner organization to recruit and consult with two workgroups — a stakeholder workgroup and a community workgroup — to determine and update site content.
  • Requires review and updates of site content at reasonable intervals, but no less frequently than once every three months (previous law required updates every six months).
  • Requires DPH to ensure public awareness of the site and to submit an annual report to the Legislature on the website’s reach and impact.
  • Makes related legislative findings (e.g., citing surge in misinformation and low public awareness per a 2024 KFF survey).

Who is affected

  • Californians and out‑of‑state persons seeking abortion and reproductive health information and services.
  • Health care providers and clinics (their locations and resources will be listed/linked).
  • Community organizations, advocates, and support networks consulted through workgroups.
  • The State Department of Public Health and the contracted nonprofit (administrative and operational responsibilities).
  • No new appropriation is specified in the bill text.

Procedural timeline / actions

  • Introduced: 02/21/2025.
  • Referred and amended through Assembly Health (committee amendments, read second time).
  • Health Committee: Do pass and re‑referred to Appropriations (04/09/2025; Ayes 12, Noes 1).
  • Referred to Appropriations, set for hearing and placed on suspense file (04/23/2025).
  • Current status: Held under submission in committee (05/23/2025).

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Intended to improve accuracy, comprehensiveness, and timeliness of public SRH information and reduce access delays due to misinformation.
  • Operational impacts include contracting and oversight workload for DPH and costs for the nonprofit partner; the bill does not include a specific funding appropriation in the text provided.
  • Emphasizes community engagement via workgroups to guide content and responsiveness.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.