How federal laws set the baseline for women’s health, safety, and access
Federal laws play a powerful role in shaping women’s rights in the United States. Even when enforcement and impact
93 articles
(Page 7)
CA shield law protects doctors
California passed a law in September 2025 allowing doctors to prescribe and mail abortion pills anonymously, shielding providers from out-of-state
CA laws strengthen equity in public education
Two California laws are helping to protect student privacy and increase access to menstrual products in public schools. AB 1955,
Texas mail-in voting rules will remain strict
In August 2025, a federal appeals court upheld Texas’s mail-ballot ID-number matching rule, reversing a lower court's
California expands family leave
In January 2025, California expanded Paid Family Leave (PML) and disability benefits through SB 951, making it more affordable for
TX extends bounty hunter model to abortion pills
HB 7 authorizes private citizens to sue those who manufacture, distribute, mail, deliver, prescribe, or otherwise provide abortion-inducing drugs to
Virginia is becoming a regional access point for abortion care
As more Southern states restrict or ban abortion, Virginia is emerging as a key access provider in the Mid-Atlantic and
Texas passes major rural health bill
Texas lawmakers passed House Bill 18 in June 2025, a sweeping rural health law designed to keep small hospitals open
Postpartum Medicaid coverage expanded in Texas
In 2024, Texas expanded postpartum Medicaid and CHIP coverage from 2 months to 12. The bipartisan bill (HB 12) aims
Child care funds partially extended in WI, with impact uncertain
Wisconsin’s “Child Care Counts," a pandemic-era program established by the federal government to support the return of parents
Texas passes anti-red-flag legislation
In June of this year, Texas passed SB 1362, which bans state and local officials from recognizing, serving, or enforcing
Mail-in voting guaranteed in California
In 2021, California guaranteed mail-in voting for registered voters under AB 37, which permanently required election officials to mail ballots
Title IX protections roll back
Protections that were expanded in 2024 to include discrimination based on sexual orientation, pregnancy, and gender identity were ruled unconstitutional