For further information, contact:  Ana M. Storey, President, 916.930.9020 or [email protected]

For immediate release May 3, 2022

California Women Lawyers Stands for Reproductive Freedom, Commits to Assist Women

SACRAMENTO – California Women Lawyers commits to continue working to protect the reproductive rights of women, in response to the leaked draft Supreme Court opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which states the Court’s intent to overturn the nearly 50-year-old precedent recognizing women’s fundamental rights to abortion and reproductive freedom.

The draft majority opinion, authored by Justice Samuel Alito and made public by Politico last night, overrules the 1973 Roe. v. Wade and 1992 Planned Parenthood v. Casey decisions.

“As we await the release of the Court’s final decision in Dobbs, we reaffirm our position that a woman’s ability to make independent and informed decisions about her reproductive health is fundamental to her self-determination,” CWL president Ana M. Storey said. “Now, more than ever, the work of groups like CWL in amicus briefing and legislative action is vital in protecting the rights of women, and we stand in solidarity with our sister bar organizations in states where women’s rights are under attack.”

CWL joined an amicus brief, filed by the National Women’s Law Center and 72 organizations committed to gender equality, in the Dobbs case in September 2021.

CWL also has on its 2022 legislative agenda support for the following California State Assembly bills related to reproductive rights:

• AB 2223 (Wicks). This bill, introduced in response to recent prosecutions of women who suffered miscarriages or stillbirths, clarifies that there shall be no civil and criminal penalties for people’s actual, potential or alleged pregnancy outcomes.

• AB 1666 (Bauer-Kahan) – This bill, introduced in response to Texas and other states’ laws purporting to impose civil or criminal liability on those who assist others in obtaining abortions, guarantees protection from civil liability for abortion providers, patients and people who assist people with access to abortions.

• AB 2091 (Bonta). This bill provides enhanced privacy protections for medical records related to abortion and pregnancy. For example, the bill prohibits compelling a person, including by subpoena, to identify or provide information that would identify an individual who has sought or obtained an abortion, in any legal, administrative, legislative or other proceedings. The bill also authorizes the Insurance Commissioner to assess a civil penalty against an insurer that discloses an insured’s confidential medical information.

CWL is committed to working to protect women’s bodily autonomy and reproductive rights, whether through legislative efforts, legal proceedings, or outreach efforts to women in states that do not safeguard women’s reproductive freedom.

About California Women Lawyers. California Women Lawyers was established in 1974 “to advance women in the profession of law; to improve the administration of justice; to better the position of women in society; to eliminate all inequities based on gender, and to provide an organization for collective action and expression germane to the aforesaid purposes.” CWL, which has members statewide, seeks to advance women through legislative advocacy; provide amicus support in cases affecting women; prepare women for judicial appointments and political office; evaluate candidates for judicial appointment; recognize outstanding women lawyers and judges; provide scholarships to exceptional law students; provide valuable networking opportunities; and more. For more information about CWL, visit www.cwl.org.

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