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 remove inaccuracies in their provider directories. Directories must reach 60% accuracy by July 1, 2026, and 95% by July 1, 2029, with associated penalties. It ensures coverage based on directory inaccuracies and mandates efficient reinstatement processes for providers.

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 intends to authorize the Medical Board of California to develop a Physician Health and Wellness Program. This initiative is directed at supporting physicians with physical or mental health conditions that may impair their professional abilities. The program includes provisions for treatment, monitoring, and rehabilitation, prioritizing confidentiality and may involve grant funding from public or private sources.

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 physicians to undergo continuing medical education focused on perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopausal care for license renewal, starting July 1, 2026. Health care plans issued from January 1, 2026, must cover treatment for menopause. Insurers must annually offer hormone therapy guidelines to 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 introduces measures to curb the use of misleading terms in health care, particularly with the application of artificial intelligence. It requires health facilities using AI for patient communications to disclose AI involvement, ensuring transparency. Additionally, it mandates providing patients with means to contact a human health care provider. Violations involving AI-generated deceptiveness are enforceable by relevant health boards, with each occurrence treated independently, expanding legal oversight over health-related AI applications.

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 proposes changes to existing legislation by reducing the timeframe for authorized decisions. It mandates that standard requests be resolved within 48 hours and urgent requests within 24 hours. This legislative change includes stipulations that violations could result in criminal penalties, while also specifying that no reimbursements are necessary for local agencies under this provision.

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, termed the PrEPARE Act of 2025, mandates that health care plans cover antiretroviral drugs and devices for HIV prevention without prior authorization, step therapy, or cost-sharing, with an exemption for Medi-Cal and delayed implementation for small plans until 2027. It establishes that violations by health care plans constitute a crime, creating a state-mandated local 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 aims to improve access to substance use disorder services by prohibiting medical necessity reviews for the first 28 days of inpatient and residential treatments. Starting January 1, 2027, it requires that outpatient prescriptions, deemed necessary by healthcare providers for substance use disorders, remain exempt from prior authorizations. It emphasizes preventing barriers to care while addressing compliance through legal measures.

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 mandates that health care service plans and insurers report annual data on prior authorization and claims outcomes, starting February 1, 2027. The data, including claims denials, must be published online by April 15 annually. Non-compliance could lead to administrative penalties, instituted under a state-mandated local program.

AB 688 mandates the State Department of Health Care Services, starting in 2028 and biennially thereafter, to analyze and report Medi-Cal telehealth data. The reports should use various metrics for telehealth access and usage, broken down by geography, demographics, and social determinants. These analyses aim to uncover disparities in care and ensure better understanding and utilization of telehealth. The ultimate goal is to foster improved access to healthcare through technology, identifying critical deficit areas to address in future policy adjustments.

The bill allows more flexible use of campaign funds by candidates and elected officials for security purposes, eliminating the lifetime cap and introducing an annual cap. Until 2029, there is no cap; afterward, a $10,000 annual cap is reinstated. It addresses security arising from official duties.

AB 951 prohibits any requirement for rediagnosis for health care service plans and insurance policies providing behavioral health treatment for certain behavioral conditions. The mandate, effective from January 1, 2026, ensures benefits continuity. Violations imply a criminal offense and impose a state-mandated local initiative. Treatment plans must be accessible upon request.

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 authorizes mortgage forbearance for property owners affected by the environmental event at the Chiquita Canyon Landfill. It extends property tax reassessment eligibility and suspends associated penalties and interests until 2030, providing financial relief to residents within a specified radius. These measures intend to alleviate economic burdens on households adjacent to the landfill, with specific provisions for penalties applicable to false declarations in financial relief applications.

AB 1041 requires the Department of Managed Health Care and the Department of Insurance to approve streamlined credentialing standards by January 1, 2028. It mandates using a standardized credentialing form and obliges health plans and insurers to assess provider qualifications within 90 days, provisionally approving credentials if delayed. The bill also enforces an update to the credentialing form every three years to ensure compliance with legislative 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.

Commencing on January 1, 2026, AB 1328 stipulates that Medi-Cal reimbursement for nonemergency ambulance transportation shall equal the Medicare ambulance fee schedule, adjusted by the Geographic Practice Cost Index. The bill promotes maximizing federal funding participation and authorizes nonphysicians to certify medical necessity, modernizing record-keeping through GPS or digital mapping.

AB 1415 updates the California Health Care Quality and Affordability Act by incorporating management services organizations, hedge funds, and private equity groups into the definitions of health care entities. It requires these groups to provide the Office of Health Care Affordability with written notice of significant transactions involving health care entities. The goal is to enforce transparency and control over health care costs, ultimately improving affordability for consumers.

AB 1418 expands reporting by the Department of Health Care Access and Information to include trends in health care coverage for employees awaiting employer-sponsored plans, suggesting state policy improvements for coverage gaps. It specifies an annual report format and initiates a regulated annual report from health facilities, integrating these reports to enhance clarity and completeness.

AB 1501 extends the Podiatric Medical Board and the Physician Assistant Board through January 1, 2030. It revises fee structures, increases the biennial renewal fee for podiatric licenses, and removes specific examination recency requirements. Additionally, the bill emphasizes that podiatrists should not be classified as ancillary providers and mandates correction of cross-reference errors in existing laws.

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 requires local health departments to enhance valley fever awareness and report annual case statistics. By 2028, adults in high-incidence areas should be offered screenings, with no penalties for providers failing to comply. Health insurance policies, from mid-2027, must cover screenings without cost-sharing, while Medi-Cal coverage awaits federal approval.

SB 306 prohibits health care service plans and insurers from requiring prior authorization for covered health services for one year if they have approved 90% of such requests in the previous year. Insurers must list exempt services online by March 15 annually. Violations constitute a crime, establishing a state-mandated local program. No state reimbursement for local agency costs is required.

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 mandates that by June 1, 2026, health care service plans and insurers must report annual statistics on claim denials and modifications. Reports must be disaggregated by care type and patient age. Insurers face penalties if a substantial number of denials are overturned in independent reviews. Exempt from this are Medi-Cal managed care plans. This enhances transparency in health coverage decisions.

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 mandates nondiscrimination in health care service plan contracts and policies, prohibiting exclusions based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex, including gender identity. It requires coverage for up to a 12-month supply of FDA-approved prescription hormone therapy. Cultural competency training for health care providers is also required to ensure trans-inclusive health care services.

SB 504 requires healthcare providers and laboratories to report HIV cases to local health officers, who then notify the State Department of Public Health. The bill emphasizes maintaining confidentiality of public health records related to HIV or AIDS. Providers are authorized to communicate necessary information for public health duties but are prohibited from disclosing personally identifying information unless essential for specific public health purposes. This ensures improved disease surveillance and patient care while safeguarding privacy.

SB 530 seeks to extend the operational period for time and distance standards under Medi-Cal managed care plans until January 1, 2029. It mandates that managed care plans maintain compliance through direct testing, ensuring that telehealth cannot replace in-person care if preferred. The definition of "specialist" is expanded to include additional medical fields, enhancing network standards.

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 Department of Health Care Access and Information to manage the California Health and Human Services Data Exchange Framework by January 1, 2026. The bill expands the entities required to execute data sharing agreements and establishes qualified health information organizations as intermediaries. It mandates annual legislative reporting on compliance and creates an oversight board to review and approve framework modifications.

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.