California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) on Saturday signed into law a bill that makes it easier for women to obtain hormonal contraceptives.

“At a time when some seek to turn back the clock and restrict women’s health choices, California is expanding access to birth control and reaffirming every woman’s basic Constitutional rights,” Brown said.

The new law allows registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives to dispense and administer hormonal contraceptives after performing an assessment. The law will increase access to birth control for thousands of women in California, according to California Women’s Law Center. Women will no longer have to make an appointment with a doctor to get birth control pills.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Having AB 2348 signed into law is the culmination of our hard-fought effort to expand access to birth control for women who need it,” Democratic Assemblymember Holly Mitchell of Los Angeles, who introduced the legislation, said. “Today, women who would not have otherwise had access to hormonal contraceptives can declare a victory.”

[Woman holding birth control pills via Shutterstock]