Bill Improving Access to Washington’s Abortion Stockpile Clears Legislature
March 2, 2026
OLYMPIA – Legislation sponsored by the Washington State Women’s Commission to strengthen access to Washington’s abortion medication stockpile has officially passed the Legislature.
The Women’s Commission drafted and advocated for Senate Bill 5917: “Improving Access to Washington’s Medication Abortion Stockpile” in partnership with Pro-Choice Washington and support from Legal Voice. Now, the bill goes to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.
The origins of SSB 5917
In 2023, Washington state purchased stockpiles of mifepristone and misoprostol. These are two medications that are commonly used for abortions and miscarriage management as a safeguard against legal threats to access. Since then, ideologically motivated attacks against medication abortion have grown, increasing the threat to mifepristone access nationwide.
Currently, logistical barriers slow down the state’s ability to distribute its stockpile of medication abortion. Without clarifications, Washington risks holding a stockpile that cannot be effectively utilized. This undermines the state’s original investment and prevents the medication from being distributed efficiently to the people who need it the most.
Senate Bill 5917 ensures the state has clear authority to donate the medication abortion to those who need it most, if federal access is disrupted.
Medication abortion faces threats, despite widespread use and safety
In 2024, medication abortions accounted for about 68% of all abortions in Washington state. Medication abortion is a safe, essential, and widely used option for care. Because it can be provided through telehealth and mail delivery, it plays a critical role in ensuring timely access for people who face high barriers to care. This includes those who live far away from the nearest abortion provider or encounter long wait times for in-person appointments.
Medication abortion is also critical to safe miscarriage management. On the Senate floor, Noel Frame (D–Seattle) shared her personal story navigating miscarriage. Her experience underscores the very real risks to women’s health when mifepristone is inaccessible.
Watch Senator Frame’s testimony (starts 1:12)
Right now, there are at least three pending federal lawsuits that threaten access to mifepristone. These lawsuits create medically unnecessary barriers to access mifepristone. Additionally, the federal government may also, independent of any litigation, take administrative agency actions that could affect the regulation of and access to mifepristone.
A simple fix to a potential future problem
Our bill makes changes to current state law to establish clear authority and processes to use our medication abortion stockpile if federal access is disrupted or before it expires. Senate Bill 5917 accomplishes its goal without adding any new costs. It clarifies roles and responsibilities in the distribution process and removes cost barriers that would impede health providers’ access to this medication. Perhaps most importantly, this legislation ensures patients in Washington maintain access to medication abortion when they need it most, regardless of any changes at the national level.
Another milestone for Washington’s commitment to reproductive rights
With final passage in the Washington House of Representatives, the bill now heads to the Governor’s desk for signature.
This milestone reflects Washington’s continued leadership in safeguarding reproductive freedom and ensuring that patients and providers are not left vulnerable to shifting federal actions or legal uncertainty.
The Washington State Women’s Commission is grateful to the bill sponsors, legislative champions, advocates, and community members who helped move this critical protection across the finish line.
Watch our testimony is the Senate Human Services Committee
Learn more about this bill: Improving Access to Washington’s Abortion Medication Stockpile Bill