SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5321
As of January 25, 2025
Title: An act relating to access at public postsecondary educational institutions to medication abortion.
Brief Description: Concerning access at public postsecondary educational institutions to medication abortion.
Sponsors: Senators Nobles, Bateman, Chapman, Cleveland, Dhingra, Frame, Harris, Hasegawa, Krishnadasan, Lovelett, Lovick, Orwall, Riccelli, Salomon, Slatter, Stanford, Trudeau, Valdez and Wilson, C..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Higher Education & Workforce Development: 1/27/25.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires public institutions of higher education to offer access to medication abortion through the student health center or through information and referral services to qualified health care organizations, including telehealth organizations.
  • Requires public institutions of higher education to maintain a website on reproductive health.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Staff: Kellee Gunn (786-7429)
Background:

Public Institutions of Higher Education.  Washington has six public baccalaureate institutions, and 34 community and technical colleges.

 

Medication Abortion.  Medication abortion includes substances used during medical treatment intended to induce the termination of a pregnancy including, but not limited to, mifepristone.
Summary of Bill:

Access to Medication Abortion.  Beginning with the 2026-27 academic year, each student health center at a public institution of higher education must offer access to medication abortion, either through a public program that connects patients in Washington to reproductive health services or through other delivery methods, such as telehealth.

 

If an institution does not operate a health center, then they must provide information and referral services for medication abortion to students seeking such services. The institution must:

  • provide referrals to qualified health care providers who can lawfully administer medication abortion:
    1. Referrals must include the contact information for at least two qualified health care organizations, including telehealth organizations.
  • offer private and accessible space on campus for the student to participate in telehealth appointments upon a student's request for telehealth accommodation;
  • offer any necessary technical support for students using telehealth services, including reliable internet access; and
  • offer electronic devices to access telehealth services.

 

Website on Reproductive Health Services.  All public institutions of higher education must maintain a website which provides certain information on reproductive health services including prenatal care and options for pregnancy termination. The website must provide:

  • detailed instructions for scheduling appointments, with contact information for both pregnancy-related services and behavioral health services; and
  • links and contact information for campus resources that assist students with requesting academic accommodations, including absences, rescheduling exams, or adjusting other academic requirements due to pregnancy, recovery from medical treatment, or related conditions.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 18, 2025.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.