Legislation approved on February 3, 2026 by the South Carolina House classified mifepristone and misoprostol as controlled risky substances. (Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Republican-majority lawmakers continued to focus on abortion drugs, proposing legislation to further restrict the utilize of mifepristone and misoprostol. GOP lawmakers are supporting bills that would allow people to sue out-of-state abortion providers and manufacturers.
The actions emerging in Missouri, South Carolina and West Virginia mirror a law passed in Texas last year that allows residents sue anyone involved in the posting abortion pills to their states.
Meanwhile, Republicans and Democrats in other states – even those that restrict abortion – have banded together to support legislation that could make contraception easier to access.
Lawmakers in Georgia and Tennessee are considering bills that would allow pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives and require insurers to cover birth control for up to 12 months. Democratic strongholds like New York and Virginia have introduced legislation that would place vending machines filled with emergency contraception on some college campuses and codify the right to contraception.
Our reproductive rights reporting team will be tracking related bills in a biweekly roundup as sessions continue this winter and spring. Depending on the partisan makeup of the state legislature and other state government officials, some bills are more likely to pass and become law than others.
Republican-led states attack Mifepristone
West Virginia
Senate Bill No. 173: The bill would make it illegal to ship abortion pills to West Virginia. Doctors could risk losing their medical licenses and non-medical professionals could face three to 10 years in prison for mailing abortion drugs into the state, West Virginia watch reported.
The bill exempts women who utilize abortion pills and doctors who prescribe abortion drugs for other purposes, such as to treat miscarriage. You can also sue the person or entity that shipped the abortion pills to West Virginia for up to $10,000 in damages. According to Watch, an amendment introduced by Republican Senator Eric Tarr would require people filing a lawsuit to contact the attorney general.
Sponsor: Republican Senator Chris Rose
Status: In the Senate Judiciary Committee
Missouri
House Bill 2294: While the primary purpose of this bill is to require providers to care for children born after attempted abortions, it would also allow people involved in helping Missourians obtain abortion drugs to be sued Independent Missouri reported.
Abortion is legal until fetal viability in Missouri after about 52% of voters approved a amendment to reproductive rights in November 2024, but drug abortion is unavailable in clinics for a reason long-term restrictions that were the subject of a trial last month. The Republican-controlled Legislature also included a ballot measure asking voters to decide whether to reinstate the ban on most abortions.
Sponsor: Republican Rep. Holly Jones
Status: In the Senate after confirmation by the House on January 29
Iowa
Senate Study Bill 3115: An Iowa Senate subcommittee advanced a bill on Monday that would require personal dispensing of abortion medications and require doctors to inform patients that it is possible to reverse the effects of mifepristone, which is not true. Shipping from Iowa’s capital reported.
If the bill becomes law, health care providers will also have to collect information on abortion complications caused by mifepristone and misoprostol. From 2024, Iowa will ban abortion after the sixth week of pregnancy, except in cases of rape, incest and to save the life of the pregnant woman.
Sponsors: Republican sense. Jason Schultz and Cherielynn Westrich
Status: In the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services
South Carolina
House Bill 4760: Earlier this month, the South Carolina House approved a bill that would classify abortion drugs as Schedule IV drugs, similar to Valium and Xanax, Gazeta Codzienna SC reported. Those possessing the drugs without a prescription face up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine, but women who take the pills are exempt from prosecution.
Anyone who gives a woman abortion drugs without her knowledge will be subject to life imprisonment – according to the law initially stated that the penalty would be up to 10 years behind bars. The legislation would also allow intended parents and other relatives to sue manufacturers, suppliers and distributors of abortion pills if their utilize causes harm to the mother or fetus.
Sponsor: Weston Newton, a Republican
Status: In the Senate Committee on Medical Affairs after approval by the House on Wednesday, February 4
Increasing measures to augment access to contraceptives
Georgia
House Bill 1138: This bill will enable pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives to adult patients, Registrar from Georgia reported on Monday. Patients under 18 years of age can receive contraceptives from pharmacists if they have a prescription from a doctor. Thirty states and Washington, D.C., allow pharmacists to prescribe and counsel patients about contraceptives. KFF.
Sponsor: Republican Beth Camp
Status: In the House of Representatives Health Committee
Tennessee
SB 0589/HB 0169: Bipartisan legislation would require private health plans to cover a year’s supply of contraceptives. TennCare already provides 12 months of contraceptives under the state’s Medicaid program. fiscal note. The measure would take effect in July 2027 if it becomes law.
Sponsors: Democratic Sen. Raumesh Akbari and Republican Rep. Esther Helton-Haynes
Status: Approved by the House on Monday, February 9 and by the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Tuesday, February 10
New York
Senate Bill 1703, 8869, 2058: Three bills introduced last month in the New York Senate would expand access to birth control. Pharmacists could be allowed to administer Depo-Provera shots, a contraceptive shot given every three months. Pharmacists can now provide other forms of contraception — pills, patches and rings, but cannot yet deliver injections.
A supplementary bill would ensure that pharmacists receive funding refunds from health insurance plans for providing contraceptive care. Third Bill would require state and municipal universities to install emergency contraception machines on campus.
Sponsors: Sense. Democratic Lea Webb and James Skoufis
Status: in the Assembly after the Senate confirmed all three in January
Virginia
Senate Bill 596: The Virginia Senate passed legislation on Tuesday, February 10 that would ensure people have the right to receive and be prescribed contraceptives in the commonwealth. The legislation has been the subject of progress in previous sessions, but former Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin He wouldn’t sign it. Now that Democrats have a trifecta in power in the state, the legislation will likely become law.
Sponsor: Democratic Del. Marcia “Cia” Price
Status: In the House of Representatives Committee on Health and Human Services after confirmation by the Senate on February 10
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