A controversial California bill that would significantly expand who can perform abortions — and at what stage of pregnancy — is advancing through the state legislature after clearing a key committee along party lines. Assembly Bill 1973, introduced by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and coauthored by Assemblymember Dawn Pellerin, passed out of committee last week and now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, its next stop before a full Assembly vote. The proposal seeks to amend multiple sections of California’s Business and Professions Code, marking a notable shift in state law governing abortion providers.