AB 1356 – Protecting Reproductive Health Clinic Patients and Providers

California Public University students seeking medication abortion can find the contact information for their student health centers, and the simple steps to follow to access this right, at abortion.ca.gov/support/public-university-students/

The California Commission on the status of Women and Girls is proud to work with policy makers and key stakeholders on recommendations to further build upon California’s leadership to ensure safety and protect access to reproductive health care for Californians and those from out of state seeking services.  

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Overview

AB 1356 is designed to protect patients and providers at reproductive health centers by updating the California Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) and modernizing online privacy laws. AB 1356 will increase penalties in the CA FACE Act to ensure offenders are held accountable for the fear and harassment they inflict and also expands the definition of visual harassment to keep reproductive healthcare workers safe from online harassment. AB 1356 increases legal protections for providers and patients commensurate with the risks they face. It pre-empts escalations in extremist violence, and protects the rights of vulnerable individuals seeking basic, necessary healthcare.

Our Role

Assembly Bill 1356 currently requires local law enforcement agencies to report on the number of anti-reproductive-rights crime-related calls for assistance, the total number of arrests for anti-reproductive-rights crimes, and the total number of cases in which the district attorney charged an individual, as specified. The Attorney General is required to annually report this information to the Legislature.  Under this legislation, the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls is responsible for convening an advisory committee of subject matter experts, who will provide two additional reports, the first by December 31, 2025, and the 2nd by December 31, 2029, for the same purposes.  

The Commission’s reports will evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of peace officer training for anti-reproductive rights crimes and any subsequent amendments made and the effectiveness of the plan developed by the Attorney General.  The reports will also include recommendations regarding any other legislation or actions to be taken by the Attorney General, the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, or the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls.

Champions of Support

This critical convening could not have happened without the advocacy efforts and deep investment in reproductive justice by key members of the legislature, including Commissioner and Assemblymember Rebecca Baur Kahan and the following organizations: 

  • American College of OBGYNs 
  • Attorney General/DOJ  
  • California Medical Association 
  • Department of Justice 
  • DuPont Clinic (provider) 
  • Feminist Majority Foundation 
  • Feminist Majority Foundation 
  • Ikar 
  • National Abortion Federation 
  • Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California 
  • Planned Parenthood Federation of California 
  • Reproductive Freedom for All California (formerly NARAL CA) 
  • Women’s Health Specialists  
  • Access Reproductive Justice 
  • If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice (FAB Council) 
  • Napa Police Department 

Thank you for your dedication to women’s reproductive healthcare and protecting access for the women of California. 

On September 27, 2022, Governor Newsom approved changes to California’s Anti-Reproductive Rights Law Enforcement Act (California Penal Code sections 13775-137w78.2) by signing Assembly Bill 1242 into law. These changes to existing law were made to expand and protect the rights of providers and patients in California relating to reproductive care. It also caused the need to review and revise the 2009 POST Anti-Reproductive Rights Crimes Guidelines for law enforcement.  

The POST Anti-Reproductive Rights Crimes Guidelines (pdf) have been updated to comply with state law. The guidelines can be found on the POST Website.  

Questions regarding these revisions may be directed to Jason Dahl, Law Enforcement Consultant with the Management Counseling and Projects Bureau, at (916) 809-1034.