Prior Priority Legislation

MHAC Position: Oppose

Author: Gonzalez

Date: 06/22/2025

The text discusses changes proposed by the PrEPARE Act of 2025 to the regulation of health care service plans and insurers concerning antiretroviral drugs used for HIV/AIDS prevention. Under the existing law, these drugs cannot generally be subjected to prior authorization or step therapy, unless at least one therapeutically equivalent version is available without those requirements. The new bill aims to refine this by allowing prior authorization or step therapy only if a therapeutically equivalent version is offered without them, and clarifies that drugs of differing durations are not considered equivalent. Furthermore, the bill mandates coverage for non-self-administered antiretroviral drugs as both a medical and outpatient prescription benefit, and eliminates cost-sharing for these HIV prevention drugs covered under non-grandfathered health plans or policies when FDA-approved. Medi-Cal managed care plans are exempt from these rules. Additionally, any willful violation of these provisions by health care plans is considered a crime, introducing state-mandated local programs, though reimbursement for local agencies is not required.

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MHAC Position: Oppose

Author: Castillo

Date: 06/22/2025

This bill outlines several legal frameworks and a proposed bill, Yaeli's Law, which addresses issues related to child welfare, custody, and guardianship, particularly concerning gender identity. Under existing law, specific professionals, known as "mandated reporters," must report suspected child abuse or neglect. Failure to report is a misdemeanor. The law defines "neglect" and "severe neglect" concerning a child's care. Yaeli's Law seeks to clarify that actions such as using a child's legal name, referring to them by their birth sex pronouns, or not providing gender-affirming healthcare, are not considered child abuse, neglect, or a cause of severe emotional harm. It also introduces a private right of action for parents or guardians investigated under such claims, allowing them to seek damages and attorney’s fees. In custody cases, the bill specifies that these actions should not affect the court's assessment of a child's health, safety, and welfare. Concerning guardianship, the bill states that they do not constitute failure to provide necessary care or grounds for removing or replacing a guardian. The bill extends protection to prevent a child from being deemed a court-dependent based solely on the defined actions and provides legal recourse for parents or guardians in such situations.

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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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MHAC Position: Support

Author: Papan

Date: 06/18/2025

The Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975 mandates that health care service plans are licensed and regulated by the Department of Managed Health Care, while health insurers are overseen by the Department of Insurance. Both entities must regularly update their provider directories, which list contracting providers. A new bill proposes that all health service and insurance plans include a notice in these directories, advising enrollees to contact the plan for help finding an in-network provider and understanding their out-of-network coverage rights. When contacted, plans must acknowledge requests within one business day and provide a list of available in-network providers: within two business days for urgent requests and five business days for non-urgent ones. Violations of these provisions would be a crime, implicating state and local program mandates. The bill specifies that no state reimbursement is required for these mandates.

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MHAC Position: Support

Author: Garcia

Date: 06/18/2025

The existing Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975 governs health care service plans, mandating licensure and oversight by the Department of Managed Health Care. Violations are considered criminal offenses. The Department of Insurance regulates health insurers, overseen by the Insurance Commissioner, ensuring health care enrollees receive appropriate language assistance. The current law also requires assessing enrollees' linguistic needs and providing translation and interpretation. The new bill mandates that health care plans and insurers offer translation and interpretation services to individuals with limited English proficiency at no cost to them. It requires qualified interpreters for necessary services and imposes penalties for non-compliance. Vital documents must have notices about interpretation services, and upon request, written translations must be provided promptly, especially in cases involving health threats. The bill permits sight translations to meet notice requirements when necessary. Further, health care service plans and insurers that market in non-English languages are required to provide specified documents, such as notices about termination of coverage, complaint forms, and cost-related communications, in that language. Moreover, non-discrimination policies, grievance procedures, and language assistance details must be clearly communicated to enrollees, potential customers, and the public. These details should also be available in prominent locations and upon request, disseminated annually, and during enrollment. Additionally, service plans and insurers must report language access policies and procedures along with cultural appropriateness to the relevant regulatory department. The bill constitutes a state-mandated local program and does not require reimbursement for local agencies, as specified.

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MHAC Position: Support

Author: Solache

Date: 06/22/2025

Existing law mandates that school districts incorporate instructional materials that reflect the cultural and racial diversity of society, including contributions from people of all genders, Native Americans, African Americans, Latino Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, European Americans, LGBTQ+ individuals, persons with disabilities, and various other groups. This bill requires the State Department of Education to oversee and ensure compliance with this requirement as part of their annual review of state and federal programs.

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MHAC Position: Support

Author: Irwin

Date: 06/22/2025

The existing law prohibits the use of public funds for athletic programs under a school district or its organizations if they do not offer equal opportunities to both sexes for participation and access to facilities. It also prohibits discrimination based on gender by city, county, or special district-managed community youth athletic programs and in the allocation of parks and recreational resources. Additionally, individuals have the right to file a civil lawsuit for violations of these prohibitions seeking equitable and financial relief. The proposed bill extends these anti-discrimination prohibitions to include school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education. It aims to ensure no sex or genderdiscrimination in managing programs or allocating resources for community youth athletics or school recreation. The bill introduces new responsibilities for local agencies, implicating a state-mandated program. If state-mandated costs are identified, they must be reimbursed according to established procedures in the California Constitution.

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MHAC Position: Support

Author: Harabedian

Date: 06/18/2025

The existing Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975 mandates the licensing and regulation of health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care and makes intentional violations criminal offenses. Health insurers are regulated by the Department of Insurance. Current law requires that health plans and insurance policies issued, amended, or renewed from January 1, 2021, cover medically necessary treatments for mental health and substance use disorders similarly to other medical conditions. The new bill mandates that large group health care plans or insurance policies from January 1, 2026, reimburse eligible enrollees for up to 12 visits with a behavioral health provider if they live in a county declared a local or state emergency due to wildfires and have experienced related trauma or loss. These benefits cannot be subject to utilization review. Health plans and insurers must notify affected enrollees of these new provisions. Violations by health care service plans would be considered crimes, leading to a state-mandated local program. The bill states no reimbursement is needed for this act and declares it an urgency statute to take effect immediately.

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MHAC Position: Support

Author: Avila Farias

Date: 06/22/2025

Existing law mandates the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to set standards for issuing and renewing teaching credentials. To obtain a preliminary multiple subject, single subject, or education specialist teaching credential, educators must complete a professional preparation program accredited by the Committee on Accreditation. This program includes health education with topics like nutrition, CPR, and the effects of alcohol, narcotics, and tobacco use. The proposed bill adds that this health education must also cover a basic understanding of youth mental health.

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MHAC Position: Support

Author: Zbur

Date: 06/22/2025

The current law allows adults to petition for a name change to align with their gender identity and requires a court process for objections to be filed within six weeks. For minors, if both living parents do not sign the petition, it must be served to the non-signing parent within 30 days. The new bill, effective July 1, 2026, removes the option to object to an adult’s name change for gender identity alignment and mandates that the court grant such petitions swiftly without a hearing. For minors, if all parents sign the petition, the court will also grant the name change without a hearing. If not all parents sign, any nonconsenting parent must be served notice within four weeks. Hearings are only set if objections showing good cause are filed. Additionally, the bill removes the existing requirement for petitioners to file judgments for new birth or marriage certificates within 30 days.

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MHAC Position: Support

Author: Addis

Date: 06/22/2025

Existing law has established a fund to support programs for transgender, gender nonconforming, and intersex (TGI) individuals, focusing on trans-inclusive health care. Grants are available to organizations serving these communities. This proposed bill aims to rename the fund to include "Two-Spirit" in its name, expanding its purpose and grant eligibility. It plans to support workforce development, social integration for 2TGI immigrants and asylees, and programs for transitional-age 2TGI youth. Organizationsserving tribal populations can apply for grants if they partner with a 2TGI-serving organization. Additionally, the bill updates the definition of "health care" to encompass mental health services and provides definitions for "Two-Spirit" and "transitional-age 2TGI youth." Legislative findings related to these updates will also be included.

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