Prior Priority Legislation

MHAC Position: Support

Author: Flora

Date: 03/17/2025

This bill proposes a demonstration project that mandates the California Health and Human Services Agency, along with relevant departments, to create a grant program aimed at developing a telehealth and specialty care network for safety-net providers serving Medi-Cal beneficiaries. The initiative seeks to enhance access to specialty care, including behavioral and maternal health services. It emphasizes the creation of financially sustainable networks that meet network adequacy standards. The grant recipients would use funds to establish these networks by integrating health information technology and supporting coordination and consultation between specialists and primary care providers. The bill also requires an independent evaluation of the project's success in reducing access barriers and necessitates reporting and dissemination of findings and best practices to guide future telehealth developments.

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MHAC Position: Support

Author: Aguiar-Curry

Date: 02/18/2025

The Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975 regulates health care service plans through the Department of Managed Health Care, requiring them to maintain accurate provider directories. It also enables departments to mandate plans to cover services for enrollees who relied on incorrect provider information. This bill enforces annual verification and requires health plan directories to be 60% accurate by July 2026, increasing to 95% accuracy by July 2029. Non-compliance with accuracy benchmarks may result in penalties. It ensures that enrollees or insured individuals receive in-network coverage for services based on incorrect directory information and prevents providers from charging extra amounts. It mandates that plans provide detailed in-network provider information upon request, including whether they are accepting new patients, while managing cost-sharing appropriately. The bill allows for systematic updates of directory accuracy and requires prompt processing when re-adding providers to directories. It imposes a state-mandated local program because violation amounts to a crime and outlines procedures for updating directory information. This bill states it does not require state reimbursement to local agencies or school districts.

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MHAC Position: Support

Author: Zbur

Date: 02/18/2025

The existing Pharmacy Law in California regulates pharmacists and pharmacies through the State Board of Pharmacy. Until January 1, 2026, it allows physicians and pharmacists to provide hypodermic needles and syringes without a prescription to individuals aged 18 and older solely for personal use, in an effort to support public health. During this time, pharmacies must offer either written information or verbal counseling to consumers who acquire these items without a prescription. Violating the Pharmacy Law can result in a misdemeanor. The proposed bill seeks to remove the expiration date, extending these provisions indefinitely and making changes to conform with this extension. Since extending this provision impacts state-mandated local programs, it is noted that the California Constitution requires reimbursement for certain state-mandated costs to local entities. However, this bill specifies that no reimbursement is required for reasons outlined in the act.

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MHAC Position: Support

Author: Krell

Date: 05/18/2025

The Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), enacted through Proposition 63 in 2004, funds county mental health plans via the Mental Health Services Fund, managed by the State Department of Health Care Services. In 2024, the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), enacted through Proposition 1, amended the MHSA, renaming the fund to the Behavioral Health Services Fund and changing spending allocations. The BHSA requires each county to run full-service partnership programs covering outpatient behavioral healthservices and housing support. A new bill introduces criteria for individuals with serious mental illness to be presumptively eligible for these partnerships, particularly for those transitioning from prison or jail after six months. However, counties need not enroll them if it violates Medi-Cal contracts, court orders, or exceeds program capacity or funding. Enrollment is contingent on meeting specific criteria and receiving a clinician’s recommendation. The bill also states that a substance use disorder should not lead toineligibility if it is the primary diagnosis. These provisions will become effective on January 1, 2027.

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MHAC Position: Support

Author: Bauer-Kahan

Date: 03/18/2025

The proposed bill aims to modify existing laws related to medical education and health insurance coverage in California. Under the Medical Practice Act and the Osteopathic Act, it proposes changes to continuing education for physicians and surgeons. It removes the existing requirement for courses in menopausal mental or physical health and, starting in July 2026 through July 2032, mandates that physicians earn double credit for completing courses on perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopausal care. Similarly, osteopathic physicians would receive the same credit. The bill also amends the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, requiring health care service plans and insurance policies that include outpatient prescription drug coverage to address symptoms of perimenopause and menopause from January 1, 2026. It mandates the distribution of annual clinical care recommendations for hormone therapy to primary care providers. A willful violation by a health care service plan would be considered a crime, creating a state-mandated local program. Finally, the bill states that no state reimbursement is required for local agencies or school districts as a result of this act.

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MHAC Position: Support

Author: Bonta

Date: 06/22/2025

The text discusses the regulation of healing arts professionals and the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare communications. Existing laws, such as the Medical Practice Act and Dental Practice Act, make it illegal for unlicensed individuals to use terms implying they are licensed health care professionals. Facilities using generative AI for patient communications must include disclaimers and instructions for contacting human providers. Violations by physicians fall under the oversight of the Medical Board of California or the Osteopathic Medical Board of California. The proposed bill extends these regulations to AI, prohibiting the use of terms suggesting that AI advice comes from licensed professionals. It mandates that violations by AI developers be treated as separate offenses under health profession boards' jurisdiction, thus aligning AI regulation with existing professional standards. The bill indicates that its implementation will not require reimbursement to local agencies, as specified by the California Constitution.

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MHAC Position: Support

Author: Addis

Date: 02/18/2025

The Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975 currently licenses and regulates health care service plans, and violations of this act are considered criminal offenses. It allows health care service plans and disability insurers to use prior authorization and other review functions, where licensed physicians or health care professionals can make determinations on medical necessity for health services. This bill proposes that if a healthcare service is delayed, denied, or modified due to medical necessity, the healthcare provider can request a further review by a competent, similarly specialized professional. Such reviews must occur within two business days, or faster if the patient's health is at serious risk. If these timelines are not met, the request for the health service will be automatically approved, overriding previous decisions. The bill would also make any violations of these timelines a criminal act for health care service plans and outlines that no reimbursements are needed for these activities as per specified reasons under the California Constitution.

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MHAC Position: Support

Author: Harabedian

Date: 06/18/2025

The Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975 regulates health care service plans, enforced by the Department of Managed Health Care, with violations classified as criminal offenses. Disability insurers are regulated by the Department of Insurance, and the Medi-Cal program provides health care for low-income individuals via different managed care plans. The current law allows health plans to use utilization review, where a qualified health professional can approve or deny health service requests based on medical necessity. Decisions must be made within 5 business days, or 72 hours for urgent cases. The proposed bill would reduce the timeframe for utilization review decisions to 3 business days for electronic submissions and 5 business days for non-electronic submissions. Urgent cases require decisions within 24 hours for electronic submissions and 48 hours for non-electronic submissions. These changes do not apply to Medi-Cal managed care plans. Violations would be criminal offenses, thus creating a state-mandated local program. Lastly, the bill specifies that no state reimbursement is needed for local agencies due to these changes.

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MHAC Position: Support

Author: Ahrens

Date: 06/18/2025

The Pharmacy Law mandates that the California State Board of Pharmacy, part of the Department of Consumer Affairs, oversees the licensing and regulation of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacies. During federal, state, or local emergencies, the board can waive certain Pharmacy Law provisions if they believe it will benefit public health or patient care. Initially, this waiver could last up to 90 days after the emergency ends. The new bill proposes extending this waiver period to 120 days for the same reasons.

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MHAC Position: Support

Author: Schiavo

Date: 06/18/2025

Under the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, health care service plans are licensed and regulated by the Department of Managed Health Care, with violations considered crimes. Health insurers are regulated by the Department of Insurance. Current laws prevent health plans or insurers from revoking treatment authorizations after services have been provided in good faith. This bill requires that a prior authorization for health care services remain valid for at least one year from the approval date or for the duration of the prescribed treatment if shorter. Violations by health care service plans are criminal offenses, creating a state-mandated local program. According to the California Constitution, the state must reimburse local agencies and schools for certain mandated costs, but this bill specifies that such reimbursement is not required.

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MHAC Position: Support

Author: Haney

Date: 06/18/2025

The Donahoe Higher Education Act establishes California's public colleges, including community colleges and universities, and mandates these institutions to implement rules on student behavior, informing students of these rules and associated penalties. These provisions apply to the University of California only if the Regents decide by resolution. Federal law also requires institutions receiving federal funds to distribute conduct standards prohibiting illicit drugs or alcohol, imposing sanctions for violations. This includes completing a rehabilitation program as a valid sanction. A proposed bill would require the University of California and California State University to prioritize campus health and safety when creating these rules. By July 1, 2026, this bill would mandate these institutions to adopt rules ensuring that students seeking medical treatment for drug or alcohol use in violation of campus rules avoid disciplinary action if they complete a rehabilitation program. This opportunity would be offered once per academic term.

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MHAC Position: Support

Author: Gonzalez

Date: 06/18/2025

Existing law mandates the State Department of Public Health to manage programs focused on disease prevention and health promotion, including providing screening and care for those exposed to diethylstilbestrol during pregnancy due to its potential to cause fetal abnormalities. The Legislature intends to fund this program in future fiscal years through the usual budgetary process. The bill proposes that, once funds are allocated, the department should create a program by January 1, 2028, to raise awareness about drug-induced movement disorders. This program would be repealed on January 1, 2032, and includes related findings and declarations.

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MHAC Position: Support

Author: Lee

Date: 06/22/2025

Existing law mandates the Governor to establish an Interagency Council on Homelessness, which includes specified members and works to coordinate efforts among government entities and organizations to end homelessness. The council is tasked with forming partnerships across various sectors and recommending policies to legislators. The new bill adds that the council must work with LGBTQ+ community representatives to recommend policies and best practices for inclusive services. Additionally, it requires expanding data collection to better understand the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals in state homelessness programs. By July 1, 2027, the council must submit a report to certain legislative committees on these recommendations.

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MHAC Position: Support

Author: Gonzalez

Date: 06/22/2025

From July 1, 2025, schools serving grades 7 to 12, both public and private, are required to include the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number on student ID cards. Similarly, colleges and universities must display the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number on their student ID cards. Starting July 1, 2026, public schools and higher education institutions will also need to add the phone number and text line for a designated LGBTQ+ suicide hotline to these ID cards.

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MHAC Position: Support

Author: Sharp-Collins

Date: 06/22/2025

Existing California laws establish several programs to address violence and support youth through grants and health services. The California Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant Program and the Youth Reinvestment Grant Program provide competitive grants for violence reduction and minor diversion programs, respectively. School districts must prioritize student health, employing certified personnel and informing students and parents about school and community mental health services. A Public School Health Center Support Program aids these health centers. The bill introduces the Community ViolenceInterdiction Grant Program via the California Health and Human Services Agency, funding community initiatives to reduce neighborhood and school violence. It suggests funding programs that focus on youth, such as recreational and health interventions, and establishing school-based health centers. The bill mandates an application process for grants and calculation of savings from state prison closures to finance these initiatives. The Community Violence Interdiction Grant Fund will be created to manage these funds, which will be transferred from the General Fund based on prison closure savings as calculated yearly.

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