Calif. Senate Approves Bills Allowing Nurses To Dispense Contraceptives, Expanding Aid for Pregnant Teens
August 24, 2012 — The California Senate on Wednesday approved a bill (AB 2348) that would allow registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives to dispense birth control pills, patches and rings, the AP/U-T San Diego reports.
Sen. Kevin De Leon (D) noted that the state is facing a physician shortage and said the measure will help reduce delays in getting care.
The bill now also returns to the state Assembly for a final vote (AP/U-T San Diego, 8/22).
Bill Would Aid Pregnant Teens
The state Senate on Wednesday also passed a bill (AB 1640) that would allow pregnant teens with no other dependents to enroll in CalWORKS, the state's welfare-to-work program, the AP/Sacramento Bee reports.
The state currently delays aid until the third trimester of pregnancy for teens. Sen. Carol Liu (D) said pregnant teens often are homeless and lack access to proper health care or nutrition.
Finance officials in Gov. Jerry Brown's (D) office expressed concern about the cost of the bill.
This measure now heads to the Assembly for final vote (AP/Sacramento Bee, 8/22).
The information contained in this publication reflects media coverage of women’s health issues and does not necessarily reflect the views of the National Partnership for Women & Families.
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The Editors
Debra Ness, publisher & president, National Partnership
Andrea Friedman, associate editor & director of reproductive health programs, National Partnership
Marya Torrez, associate editor & senior reproductive health policy counsel, National Partnership
Melissa Safford, associate editor & policy advocate for reproductive health, National Partnership
Perry Sacks, assistant editor & health program associate, National Partnership
Cindy Romero, assistant editor & communications assistant, National Partnership
Justyn Ware, editor
Amanda Wolfe, editor-in-chief
Heather Drost, Hanna Jaquith, Marcelle Maginnis, Ashley Marchand and Michelle Stuckey, staff writers
Tucker Ball, director of new media, National Partnership
