(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . From the Archives: Reagan signed California law easing access to abortion 55 years ago [1] [] Date: 2022-06-28 In June of 1967, Gov. Ronald Reagan signed into law a bill that legalized abortion in California. The law allowed abortions before the 20th week of pregnancy in cases of rape or incest, to protect the physical or mental health of the mother, or in cases of statutory rape involving girls under 15 years of age. The the state’s century-old law had allowed abortion only to save the mother’s life. From The San Diego Union, Friday, June 16, 1967: Abortion Measure Signed By Reagan By Peter Kaye, The San Diego Union’s Politics Writer Advertisement SACRAMENTO — Gov. Reagan yesterday signed a landmark bill liberalizing California’s 96-year-old abortion law. The relaxed ceremony in Reagan’s office contrasted with emotional hearings in the Legislature and the governor’s own last-minute reservations about the bill. 3RD STATE Titled the Therapeutic Abortion Law, it becomes effective in about three months and legalizes abortions: 1. In cases of rape or incest. 2. If the physical or mental health of the expectant mother is jeopardized. California becomes the third state to have such a law. North Carolina and Colorado approved somewhat stronger legislation earlier this year. Abortions are legal in California now only if the mother’s life is endangered. “I’ve changed my mind,” Reagan smiling told State Sen. Anthony C. Beilenson, D-Los Angeles, just before he signed the bill. “I’m glad you can smile,” replied the senator. “I’m glad it’s all over.” “If you think I’m smiling now,” said Reagan, “wait until the right tax bill come down.” Although he voiced specific objections to the bill on the day it was approved by the Assembly, Reagan later said he would sign it. WON’T ADD IT The governor was instrumental in making Beilenson eliminate a provision that would have legalized abortions if there was a substantial risk that the child would be deformed. Beilenson told reporters it is unfortunate that the provision was not left in the bill. He said, however, that he would make no attempt to add it at a future date and emphasized this decision was made without pressure from the governor. “Hopefully,” said Beilenson, “a major cause of deformities, rubella (German measles) may be eliminated by a vaccine.” the Assembly co-author of the bill, Assemblyman W. Craig Biddle, R-Riverside, said he too would oppose such amendments. Neither repeated the irritation they voiced when it appeared the governor might not sign the bill. “I’m delighted,” Beilenson said yesterday. “I know it was a difficult choice for the governor.” Biddle said the abortion measure, bitterly opposed by leaders of the Catholic Church, was the most emotional issue before the Legislature in many years. Under the California statute, accredited hospitals may establish abortion committees of three doctors each. An abortion may be performed during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy with the approval of two of the three committee members. From 12 to 20 weeks unanimous approval is required. The bill would not permit abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. All legal abortions would have to be performed by a physician in a hospital. Backers of the bill contend it will legalize only about 2 percent of the estimated 100,000 illegal abortions performed annually in California. But Beilenson said the statute would permit women to obtain expert medical attention in sanitary surroundings instead of by quacks who operate in backrooms. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/local-history/story/2022-06-28/from-the-archives-reagan-signed-california-law-easing-access-to-abortion-55-years-ago Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/