Bill > SB5826

This bill requires all public colleges and universities in Washington state to provide access to medication abortion (a non-surgical abortion method using pills) by the start of the 2027-28 academic year. Student health centers must offer medication abortion services through a public program, a formal agreement with a safety net abortion provider, or other available methods, utilizing the most cost-effective option. Institutions without student health centers must provide information and referral services, including training support staff to help students access abortion resources, identify qualified healthcare providers, and facilitate telehealth appointments. The bill mandates that all public higher education institutions create a comprehensive health services webpage with detailed information about reproductive health services, including instructions for scheduling appointments, links to academic accommodation resources, and directions to the state health department's abortion information page. The legislation is grounded in findings that approximately 196,000 pregnancy-capable students attend Washington's public higher education institutions, and many face substantial barriers to accessing abortion care, including long travel times, financial constraints, and increased wait times following the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision. The bill emphasizes that access to abortion is a human right and an integral part of essential healthcare, with the intent of making medication abortion as accessible and cost-effective as possible for students.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5826&Year=2025&Initiative=false