AB 278 mandates the Health Care Affordability Board to form a Patient Advocate Advisory Standing Committee by June 1, 2026. This committee must meet publicly at least four times annually to gather public comments. Additionally, it is required to include data from these meetings in its annual report to the board, thereby ensuring improved stakeholder engagement in health care affordability initiatives.

AB 280 requires health care plans and insurers to annually verify and rectify inaccuracies in provider directories. By July 1, 2026, directories must achieve 60% accuracy, increasing to 95% by 2029, with penalties for non-compliance. It mandates coverage for services relied upon by enrollees based on inaccurate directory information and requires timely approval of provider requests to be added back to directories. The legislation aims to enhance transparency and reliability in health care access.

AB 309 aims to indefinitely extend the current law that allows individuals 18 years and older to obtain hypodermic needles and syringes from licensed pharmacists or physicians without a prescription. The bill seeks to eliminate the January 1, 2026 repeal date of existing regulations and introduces conforming changes. Violations of these provisions are classified as misdemeanor crimes, establishing a state-mandated local program while exempting the state from reimbursement for certain mandated costs.

AB 360 seeks to improve health care access for patients experiencing menopause by ensuring they can consult qualified providers capable of offering effective treatments. It requires collaboration among state health entities to assess and report on medical education gaps related to menopause, fostering greater awareness and addressing care deficiencies. The aim is to enhance the quality of menopause-related health care in California.

AB 408 authorizes the Medical Board of California to create a Physician Health and Wellness Program aimed at supporting physicians and surgeons with physical and mental health conditions affecting their practice. The program will be administered by a nonprofit entity and include measures for confidentiality. It mandates the establishment of advisory committees and prohibits the disclosure of participant records under the California Public Records Act, while requiring the board to report annually to the Legislature about program funding and participant issues.

AB 421 prohibits California law enforcement agencies from collaborating with immigration authorities or sharing information regarding enforcement actions within one mile of childcare facilities, places of worship, hospitals, or medical offices. It builds on existing protections under the California Values Act by expanding the zones where such collaboration is restricted. The bill imposes additional responsibilities on local law enforcement and ensures state reimbursement for mandated costs, should they arise. It is classified as an urgency statute to facilitate immediate implementation.

AB 432 requires the Medical Board of California to enforce continuous education on menopause for physicians with a significant female patient base. Starting January 1, 2026, health insurance plans must provide coverage for perimenopause and menopause treatments. Insurers must also offer annual clinical care recommendations for hormone therapy to contracted primary care providers.

AB 481 permits individuals to assist in performing moderate or high complexity tests in clinical laboratories if they meet specified requirements under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). The legislation requires direct and constant supervision by a licensed individual, who must be physically present during the activities. Additionally, the bill clarifies that no state reimbursement is mandated for local agencies regarding the implementation of these new provisions.

AB 489 addresses the prohibition of using misleading terms in health care contexts, particularly related to artificial intelligence. It requires health facilities employing AI for patient communication to include disclaimers and provide contact information for human health providers. Entities using AI deceptively to imply human licensure will face regulatory action. Each violation is treated separately, expanding existing health care-related legal provisions.

AB 510 requires that any appeal regarding a denial, delay, or modification of health care services based on medical necessity must be reviewed by a licensed physician of the same specialty as the provider. Reviews are to be completed within two business days or sooner if there's a serious health risk. If the timelines are not met, the request is automatically approved. The bill creates penalties for violations and establishes it as a state-mandated local program without reimbursement requirements for local agencies.

AB 511 seeks to regulate the practice of radiologist assistants by prohibiting individuals from presenting themselves as such unless they pass a designated examination and maintain current registration. The bill mandates that radiologist assistants operate solely under the supervision of a radiologist, restricting their autonomy in practice. It further stipulates the responsibilities of these assistants in communicating clinical observations exclusively to supervising radiologists, and clarifies that violations of the bill's provisions do not constitute a misdemeanor.

AB 512 seeks to amend existing laws related to prior authorization in healthcare by reducing the decision-making timeframe. Standard requests must be answered within 48 hours, while urgent requests are to be handled within 24 hours. Violations of these timelines can lead to criminal charges. The bill also stipulates that no reimbursement is required from local agencies for any costs incurred as a result of this act.

AB 539 requires that prior authorizations for healthcare services issued by health insurers or plans remain valid for at least one year from approval or for the duration of prescribed treatment if shorter. Willful violation of this mandate constitutes a crime, resulting in a state-mandated local program. Notably, the bill states that no reimbursement is necessary for the implementation of these requirements.

AB 554 aims to improve accessibility to antiretroviral drugs, drug devices, or products for HIV/AIDS by prohibiting health care plans from imposing prior authorization or step therapy for drugs approved by the FDA or CDC. It mandates coverage under outpatient prescription drug benefits, while exempting Medi-Cal managed care plans and delaying implementation for certain health plans until 2027. Violations are considered criminal, implicating a state-mandated program.

AB 601 directs child welfare agencies to adopt an alternative response for reports of general neglect, facilitating community support services. Mandated reporters, upon suspicion of general neglect, must refer cases to county welfare agencies utilizing this approach. The State Department of Social Services will develop training and guidelines for these reporters, auditing compliance among employers. The bill also mandates analysis of disparities within child welfare, requiring reports to the Legislature from 2027 to 2040 on these issues and support resource availability for families.

AB 669 prohibits concurrent or retrospective medical necessity reviews for the first 28 days of inpatient substance use disorder treatment commencing January 1, 2027. It mandates that outpatient prescription drugs for such treatments, deemed medically necessary by healthcare professionals, will not require prior authorization. The bill intends to prevent barriers in accessing critical care for individuals facing substance use disorders while establishing criminal penalties for violations of its provisions.

AB 676 allows the Department of Health Care Services to waive interest on unrecovered overpayments made to healthcare providers if the overpayment occurred four or more years prior to the first demand for repayment. The decision to waive interest will be based on factors such as the financial impact on the provider and whether the overpayment resulted from policy changes or departmental errors not attributed to the provider.

AB 682 requires health care service plans and insurers to provide detailed monthly reports on claims processed, adjudicated, denied, or partially denied. The information must be publicly available on departmental websites. A violation of these reporting requirements will be classified as a crime, thereby establishing a state-mandated local program. The bill stipulates that reimbursement for costs incurred by local agencies or school districts is not required for its implementation.

AB 688, known as the Telehealth for All Act of 2025, requires the Medi-Cal program to produce biennial telehealth utilization reports starting in 2028. These reports will analyze data on telehealth access and utilization, specifically disaggregating results by geographic, demographic, and social determinants of health categories. The aim is to identify disparities in access to care and improve insights into telehealth modalities over time.

AB 789 amends the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act, requiring health care service plans in the individual or small group market to file information including total earned premiums and total incurred claims with the Department of Managed Health Care. These filings must occur at least 120 days before any rate changes are implemented. The bill primarily makes technical, nonsubstantive updates to the existing law regarding health care coverage and rate review processes.

AB 951 prohibits health care service plans from necessitating a rediagnosis for enrollees diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder or autism to maintain coverage for behavioral health treatment. It mandates that treatment plans be made available upon request. Willful violations of this requirement would constitute a crime under existing law, leading to the establishment of a state-mandated local program, with provisions indicating that no reimbursement is required for specified reasons.

AB 967 mandates the Medical Board of California to expedite the licensure process for applicants who pay an expedite fee. This fee is capped at $250 and designed to facilitate quicker licensing, particularly for those with existing licenses in other states or strong connections to the Armed Forces. This bill is set to enhance the efficiency of medical licensure while maintaining oversight by the Department of Consumer Affairs.

AB 980 mandates that managed care entities have a duty of care to ensure the provision of medically necessary health care services. It specifies that such services must align with community medical standards, and holds these entities liable for any harm resulting from the denial, delay, or modification of care that leads to substantial harm for subscribers or enrollees. The bill defines “medically necessary health care service” as legally prescribed treatments that are reasonable and consistent with established medical community guidelines.

AB 985 prohibits the use of the title "doctor" or the prefix "Dr." on name tags by individuals unless they hold the appropriate certification. This measure aims to prevent misrepresentation in health care settings, ensuring that patients can easily identify licensed practitioners. Existing laws already prohibit misleading use of medical titles, and this amendment seeks to reinforce those protections for public safety.

AB 1041 proposes the development of a standardized process and form for credentialing health care providers to be used by all health care plans and insurers by January 1, 2028. It requires that provider credentials be evaluated within 90 days of application, with conditional approvals allowed if this timeline is not met. The bill also mandates updating the credentialing form every three years to maintain compliance with regulatory changes.

AB 1196 mandates health facilities with emergency departments to provide necessary care for life-threatening conditions if qualified personnel and appropriate facilities are available. The bill updates regulations requiring surgical teams in cardiac surgeries to include at least one surgeon and two qualified personnel, with an emphasis on aligning state regulations with current medical standards by 2027. Additional provisions clarify that no reimbursement is obligated for local agencies under this act.

AB 1328 stipulates that effective January 1, 2026, Medi-Cal will reimburse nonemergency ambulance transportation at 100% of the Medicare rates, adjusted geographically. This aligns reimbursement with federal levels, aiming to maximize federal funding. The bill also allows nonphysicians to certify medical necessity and modernizes documentation processes for transport providers.

AB 1415 updates definitions related to health care entities, now including management services organizations and hedge funds as relevant parties. It mandates that private equity groups and hedge funds notify the Office of Health Care Affordability about significant transactions involving health care entities. The bill enhances market oversight and seeks to control health care costs and ensure affordability for consumers and purchasers.

AB 1418 mandates the Department of Health Care Access and Information to include data on health coverage trends for employees during waiting periods for employer-sponsored care. It requires recommendations to address coverage gaps in state policies and stipulates the report's format for consistency and clarity.

AB 1501 aims to prolong the functionality of the Podiatric Medical Board and the Physician Assistant Board until January 1, 2030. This measure addresses the regulatory framework for podiatrists and physician assistants, stipulating revised fees for licensure including an increased biennial renewal fee. The bill clarifies terms to prevent misclassification as ancillary providers and updates cross-references within existing regulations, thereby refining healthcare practice standards related to podiatric medicine.

SB 29 extends the time frame for recovery of damages for decedent's pain, suffering, or disfigurement until January 1, 2030. It also mandates reporting requirements for successful plaintiffs and gives all parties in an action the ability to submit information to the Judicial Council. The Judicial Council must report these findings through January 1, 2029.

SB 297 mandates local health departments to promote awareness of valley fever, report annual case data, and establish screening protocols. Beginning January 1, 2028, adult patients in high-incidence areas must be offered valley fever screenings. Healthcare providers are protected from penalties for noncompliance. Additionally, health plans must cover these screenings without cost-sharing and include them as Medi-Cal benefits, pending federal approval. The bill also specifies reimbursement stipulations for local agencies regarding mandated costs.

SB 306 prohibits health care service plans and insurers from imposing prior authorizations on covered health services for one year if the plan approved 90% or more of such requests the previous year. It requires the posting of exempt services on the insurer's website by March 15 annually. Violations will be treated as crimes, thus establishing a state-mandated local program. No state reimbursement is required for local agencies under this act.

SB 351 aims to prevent private equity groups or hedge funds from interfering with the professional judgment of physicians and dentists in California. It forbids these entities from influencing healthcare decisions, particularly regarding billing procedures and patient care. Additionally, any contracts restricting providers from competing or commenting on quality and ethical issues in care will be deemed void. The Attorney General is granted the authority to seek injunctions and recover attorney’s fees for violations of these provisions.

SB 363 requires health care service plans and insurers to annually report claims processed, focusing on denials and modifications, by June 1, 2026. The performance of these denials will be measured against independent medical review overturn rates. Plans or insurers are liable for penalties if review overturns exceed a set percentage. Data must be included in annual public reports, and provisions do not extend to Medi-Cal managed care plans.

SB 403 aims to remove the expiration date of January 1, 2031, from the End of Life Option Act, allowing qualified adults to request aid-in-dying drugs indefinitely. The bill also mandates that the State Department of Public Health collaborate with stakeholders to enhance data collection for annual reports on the act's implementation and usage. No reimbursement is required for this bill as per specified legal provisions.

SB 418 prohibits discrimination in health care coverage based on race, national origin, disability, gender identity, and other identity factors. It seeks to ensure that individuals are not denied access to services based on their sex assigned at birth or gender identity. Additionally, the bill mandates cultural competency training for health care providers, enabling them to better serve diverse populations. Penalties are established for non-compliance, reinforcing the importance of equitable health care access.

SB 504 mandates healthcare providers and laboratories to report HIV infection cases to local health officers, who then report these to the State Department of Public Health. It asserts the confidentiality of public health records related to HIV and specifies that providers may disclose necessary information only for public health duties. Additionally, it permits healthcare providers to communicate with health officers to acquire treatment recommendations or refer patients to services, reinforcing the protection of patient confidentiality.

SB 530 prolongs Medi-Cal's existing service access standards indefinitely. It mandates evaluation of managed care plans for compliance through direct testing. The bill clarifies that telehealth cannot replace in-person care if desired by the beneficiary, broadening the definition of "specialist" to include fields like immunology and sleep medicine.

SB 579 creates a working group focused on the integration of artificial intelligence within mental health care. This group is tasked with assessing various applications and implications of AI, including ethical considerations and potential benefits. The findings from this evaluation are to be documented in a report submitted to the Legislature, which will contribute to future policies and frameworks in mental health services.

SB 660 requires the Center for Data Insights and Innovation to assume responsibility for the California Health and Human Services Data Exchange Framework by January 1, 2026. It mandates the inclusion of social services data, expands the list of entities required to sign data sharing agreements, and establishes a designated process for qualifying data sharing intermediaries. The bill also creates the CalHHS Data Exchange Board to oversee modifications to the framework and requires annual reporting on compliance with data sharing agreements.

SB 679 requires health care facilities and peer review bodies to submit annual reports to the Civil Rights Department and the Medical Board of California regarding the termination and privileges of physicians and medical residents. This includes data stratified by race and gender, with the Department required to publish the aggregated information online while ensuring no personally identifiable information is disclosed. Legislative findings regarding the necessity of data privacy protections are also included.