Current Status - Summary

As of October 2025, California appears to be one of the strongest states for women’s rights overall. Laws in place today suggest broad protections across reproductive health, workplace equity, education, safety, and voting access. At the same time, residents should know that some areas remain fluid — especially where federal court rulings, state budget pressures, or interstate legal conflicts may affect Californians in the future.

Things we’re watching: upcoming federal court decisions on abortion medication, national conversations about limiting mail-in voting, and potential budget or Medicaid changes that could affect Medi-Cal coverage.

Women’s Health

California continues to stand out nationally for its protections in reproductive rights and in its broader health access for women.

Reproductive Care: The state's constitution explicitly safeguards the right to abortion and contraception, an amendment added by voters in 2022. State lawmakers have since passed laws expanding access through tele-health and mail-order medication and created legal “shield” protections for providers who serve out-of-state patients. Pharmacists can now dispense birth control directly, and the state is exploring over-the-counter options to make contraception easier to get.

Healthcare Access: Beyond reproduction, California has taken a broad approach to women’s health overall. The state’s Medi-Cal program now covers nearly all low-income adults — including undocumented residents ages 26 to 49 — and offers extended postpartum and mental-health benefits. Lawmakers also passed A.B. 2270 (2024), encouraging provider training in menopause and mental health, as well as maternal mental health. The main watchpoint now is funding: the state’s growing budget deficit and upcoming federal Medicaid changes could change how much care Medi-Cal can sustainably provide.

Workplace Rights

From what I can see, California’s workplace protections go further than most. Pay-scale transparency laws require employers to report pay data more fully. Paid Family Leave benefits were enhanced in 2025 so that lower-income workers may receive up to 90% of their wages during leave, while many others receive about 70%. These changes make it easier for families, and often women, to take time off without losing too much income, though actual access can still depend on job type and awareness of benefits.

Violence & Safety

California has some of the strongest statutory tools for addressing domestic violence and gun safety, at least on paper. Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs) allow family, community members, and law enforcement to request the temporary removal of firearms from people considered dangerous. Domestic violence, firearm bans, and civil protective orders are also in place. While the state’s laws appear comprehensive, implementation can vary by county, so the effectiveness residents experience may depend on where they live.

Voting & Civic Participation

Voting access in California seems to be among the most open in the nation, which helps to ensure more equitable access and participation among all groups, including women. All registered voters are mailed ballots automatically, and same-day registration is available. Automatic voter registration at the DMV and pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds make it easier for people to get on the rolls. For most residents, this means several convenient ways to participate in elections.

Education

California appears to go beyond federal Title IX requirements (recently restricted) with its own laws on campus harassment and violence (CA SB493), requiring colleges to meet higher standards of response and support. In K-12 schools, recent laws protect the privacy of LGBTQ+ students and ensure free menstrual products in restrooms starting in elementary grades. These efforts are aimed at reducing barriers to attendance and participation, and suggest a state-level commitment to equity in education regardless of shifting federal policies.