Washington Aims to Sell Abortion Drug Stockpile Before Expiration

State legislature passes bill to give more flexibility in distributing medication

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Washington Senate has approved legislation that would give the Department of Corrections more flexibility in distributing the state's stockpile of abortion medication. The bill would remove a requirement that the agency sell the medication at the same cost it paid for, allowing the state to potentially sell the drugs for a small fee to those who need them before the stockpile expires.

Why it matters

Washington state had previously stockpiled abortion drugs in anticipation of potential legal uncertainty around access to the medication. Now, with the new legislation, the state is looking to distribute this stockpile to ensure the drugs don't go to waste as they near expiration.

The details

The bill, which cleared the Washington Senate on Tuesday, would allow the Department of Health, working with the Department of Corrections, to provide the abortion medications to people who need them, potentially for a small fee, rather than being required to sell them at the original purchase price.

  • The Washington Senate approved the legislation on Tuesday, February 16, 2026.

The players

Washington Senate

The legislative body that approved the bill to give the Department of Corrections more flexibility in distributing the state's stockpile of abortion medication.

Department of Corrections

The state agency that oversees the stockpile of abortion medication and will now have more flexibility in distributing it.

Department of Health

The state agency that will work with the Department of Corrections to provide the abortion medications to people who need them.

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The takeaway

This legislation demonstrates Washington state's proactive approach to ensuring access to abortion medication, even in the face of potential legal uncertainty. By allowing the distribution of the stockpile before expiration, the state is working to prevent the drugs from going to waste and to make them available to those who need them.