California relaxes restriction on birth control refills

California will drop its prohibition on pharmacies providing any more than a three-month supply of birth control pills, with Gov. Jerry Brown signing legislation Friday blessing allotments of up to a year.

Senate Bill 999, by Sen. Fran Pavley, D-Aguora Hills, was supported by Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California and other groups that said the measure would make it easier for women to consistently use contraceptives.

It was opposed by the California Catholic Conference and Association of California Life and Health Insurance Companies, according to a legislative analysis.

Brown signed the bill without comment.

The Democratic governor also signed Assembly Bill 1954, prohibiting health plans and insurers from requiring a member to receive a referral before they may receive reproductive and sexual health care.

This story was originally published September 23, 2016 at 1:38 PM with the headline "California relaxes restriction on birth control refills."