Andrew Rivas, executive director of the California Catholic Conference, issued the following statement today in response to the passage of SB 24:
“The California legislature has passed SB 24 (Leyva, D-Chino), a bill that will require all UC and CSU campus health care clinics to make abortion-by-medication available to students by state paid campus staff.
“The bill is now on Governor Newsom’s desk. We urge him to veto this unprecedented and unnecessary legislation because it purposely narrows a young woman’s choices and puts the state’s prestigious academic institutions in a position of actually promoting, facilitating and potentially funding only abortions.
“College-age women, especially those who face life-changing decisions, such as pregnancy, deserve a safe and supportive environment where they can receive appropriate health care and support, including pregnancy counseling and/or options regarding on-going health care, childcare, housing assistance, moral support and adoption. This bill will promote only abortion-inducing drugs on college campuses.
“No government-funded institution, medical or counseling center, should ever provide only one set of services. If this bill is truly about providing choices for female students, the state should then also require and fund life-affirming services on campus. Offering state-funded abortions as the only alternative to pregnancy undermines the ability of a state academic institution to promote the value of diversity and the empowerment of women.
“The life and dignity of every person is due respect and protection at every stage and in every condition. The right to life is the first and most fundamental principle of human rights. As Catholics, we recognize the sacredness and primacy of human life and we oppose any legislation or attempt to deny the basic human right to life.
“For these reasons, the California Catholic Conference requests that Governor Newsom veto SB 24.”
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The California Catholic Conference is urging Governor Newsom to veto SB 24. A link is available to contact the Governor: https://tinyurl.com/StopSB24