Of abortion, birth control and breasts

Gov. Jerry Brown signed several health-related bills into effect on Sept. 22, including legislation regarding mental-health and women’s health issues.

On the women’s-health front, Brown signed SB 623 by Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego), which extends a pilot program analyzing the safety and effectiveness of non-surgical abortions provided by nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants and midwives, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Brown also approved AB 2348 by Assembly- woman Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles), which allows registered nurses to prescribe birth control without approval of a physician, and SB 1538 by Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), which requires physicians to inform women receiving mammograms if they have dense breast tissue, as well as how the density of breast tissue affects cancer risk.

Additionally, Brown extended Laura’s Law until 2017 with AB 1569 by Assemblyman Mike Allen (D-Santa Rosa). The law, introduced in 2002, allows for court-ordered treatment of those with severe mental-health conditions and a history of violence or hospitalization.