California could become first state to require abortion services on campus

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- California could become the first state in the country to require public universities to offer abortion services after a bill passed the state senate.

It would still need approval from the Assembly along with the governor's signature.

Currently, no University of California or Cal State campuses offer abortion services at their health centers: instead they refer students to outside providers.

If the bill becomes law, universities would have to offer non-surgical, medication abortions, which can be done up to 10 weeks into a pregnancy by 2022.

"I firmly believe that all students should be able to decide what to do with their own bodies and when to factor a family into their life," said Sen. Connie Leyva, D-Chino, the bill's author. "After all, women do not lose the constitutional right to end a pregnancy simply because they are a college student."

The bill's sponsors estimate that 10 to 17 women would seek a medication abortion per month on each UC campus, and nine to 15 at each CSU school.

The services would be paid for by private donors.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.