[JURIST] The French National Assembly [official website, in French] on Friday approved a bill that would reimburse women for all abortions and make contraceptives available for free to minors. France already fully pays for abortions for minors and low-income women, but this bill would reimburse all women [AP report] up to € 450 (USD $580) for abortions. It would also pay for contraception for minors from age 15 to 18. The bill will now be sent to the Senate, where it is expected to pass.

Although abortion is not a highly controversial topic in France, where it has been legal since 1976, it is a very controversial issue in other countries. Earlier this week, a US appeals court refused to reconsider [JURIST report] its decision to uphold a Texas law that cut off funding to clinics affiliated with abortion providers. Also this week, Uruguay’s president signed a bill [JURIST report] legalizing abortion with no restrictions for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. In August South Korea’s Constitutional Court [official website, in Korean] upheld a 59-year ban [JURIST report] on abortion as constitutional.