{"schema":"abhortion.org/legislation.summary/v1","id":"legality-us-ca","type":"legislation","level":"state","jurisdiction":"California","as_of_date":"2026-07-12","research_completed_date":"2026-07-12","headline":"Constitutionally protected; viability limit","summary":"California has the strongest abortion protections in the U.S.: a constitutional amendment guarantees the right, and abortion is legal until viability with no mandatory waiting period, parental involvement, or ultrasound requirement.","machine_readable_summary":{"legal_classification":"protected_by_constitution","gestational_limit_weeks":null,"limit_measured_from":"implantation","abortion_currently_available":"yes","ban_or_limit_enjoined":false,"mother_expressly_exempt":true,"mother_prosecutable_in_practice":false,"self_managed_abortion_criminalized":false,"abortion_charged_as_homicide":false,"fetal_homicide_law":true,"fetal_wrongful_death_action":false,"personhood_language_in_law":true,"personhood_contradiction":true,"medication_abortion_distinct_status":false,"mailing_pills_banned":false,"method_bans":[],"telehealth_prescribing_allowed":true,"physician_only_law":false,"provider_max_penalty":"Unauthorized practice: misdemeanor up to 1 year jail and/or $10,000 fine; also unprofessional conduct","helpers_criminally_exposed":false,"travel_assistance_criminalized":false,"civil_bounty_law":false,"shield_state":true,"waiting_period_hours":null,"state_scripted_counseling":false,"ultrasound_required":"none","in_person_visits_required":0,"parental_involvement":"none","judicial_bypass_available":"not_applicable","spousal_consent_or_notice_on_books":false,"medicaid_coverage":"broader_than_hyde","private_insurance_restricted":false,"state_funding_posture":"funds_providers","rape_incest_exception":"not_applicable","exceptions_present":["life","physical_health"],"major_pending_change":true},"links":{"html":"https://www.abhortion.org/legislation/ca.html","markdown":"https://www.abhortion.org/legislation/ca.md","summary_json":"https://www.abhortion.org/legislation/ca.json","full_json":"https://www.abhortion.org/legislation/ca-full.json","verbose_json":"https://www.abhortion.org/legislation/ca-verbose.json"}}