Health Facilities

AB 92 (Gallagher, R-Chico)

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Failed to pass the Assembly Health Committee by the deadline and is now a two-year bill.

AB 92 would require health facilities to allow visits from specified family members unless they pose health or safety risks or disrupt operations, or if the patient objects. In end-of-life situations, in-person visitation cannot be prohibited unless the patient refuses, but visitors would be required to adhere to the same personal protective equipment and testing protocols as staff. Facilities would be allowed to impose reasonable restrictions on visitation — such as limits on hours, age, and number of visitors — but would be required to develop alternate protocols to maximize visitation during health or safety concerns. This bill is similar to AB 2549 (Gallagher, 2024), for which CHA was successful in negotiating amendments to address concerns. AB 2549 was vetoed by the governor. 

AB 421 (Solache, D-Lakewood)

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Two-year bill.

AB 421 would prohibit California law enforcement agencies from sharing any information with immigration authorities about enforcement actions occurring within one mile of childcare facilities, religious institutions, or hospitals and medical offices.

AB 849 (Soria, D-Merced)

Oppose Unless Amended

Passed the Senate Health Committee on July 16. Aug. 18 hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

AB 849 would, by Jan. 1, 2027, require providers as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 127500.2 to notify patients — in writing, verbally, or electronically — that for sensitive examinations involving an ultrasound performed by a sonographer, a trained medical chaperone will be available upon request. Sensitive examination means an ultrasound involving the following areas: genitalia, breast, rectum, and pubic or groin region. Patients would have the right to decline a chaperone, and a provider would have the right to decline performing a sensitive exam without a medical chaperone present. Facilities would be required to educate sonographers and staff who may serve as medical chaperones about appropriate observational and intervention techniques, how to properly drape a patient, the importance of neutrality, and how to report any inappropriate behaviors observed or communicated by the patient. CHA is working closely with Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria’s office on amendments to give providers flexibility when a chaperone is not immediately available, as well as to narrow the definition of a sensitive exam.

Senate Health Committee Oppose Unless Amended Letter

AB 894 (Carrillo, D-Palmdale)

Neutral as Amended

Passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on July 14. Pending a Senate floor vote.

AB 894 would require general acute care hospitals, beginning July 1, 2026, to inform patients of their right to opt out of the patient directory. Such hospitals would be required to verbally inform patients during the intake process, as well as update the “Acknowledgment of Privacy Rights” form to include a checkbox allowing patients to opt out.

AB 960 (Garcia, D-Rancho Cucamonga)

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Passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on July 14. Pending a Senate floor vote.

AB 960 would require general acute care hospitals to allow patients with physical, intellectual, developmental, or cognitive disabilities — including dementia — to have a family member or caregiver present as needed, including outside regular visiting hours, to ensure they can fully and equally access hospital services.

AB 1386 (Bains, D-Bakersfield)

Oppose Unless Amended

Held on the Assembly Appropriations Committee suspense file on May 23.

AB 1386 would require perinatal services to be considered a basic service at general acute care hospitals, as well as establish a process for hospitals that do not provide this service to submit a compliance plan to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for approval or denial. The plan must include information on the hospital’s transfer agreements, financial limitations, efforts to establish perinatal care, and other requirements as determined by CDPH. CHA has been actively engaged with the author on amendments so the bill takes a comprehensive approach — one that addresses the key drivers of maternity unit closures, including low delivery volume, workforce shortages, and financial challenges. 

Assembly Health Committee Oppose Unless Amended Letter

Assembly Appropriations Committee Oppose Unless Amended Letter

SB 81 (Arreguín, D-Oakland)

Support

Passed the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee on July 8. To be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

SB 81 would prohibit health care providers, including health facilities defined under Health and Safety Code Section 1250, from granting immigration enforcement access to patients or nonpublic areas — unless it is for the purpose of enforcing criminal laws or pursuant to a valid judicial warrant or court order. The bill would require health care providers to establish or update procedures, as well as inform staff and volunteers on how to respond to immigration enforcement requests. Additionally, it would expand the definition of “medical information” to include immigration status and place of birth, and it would define “immigration enforcement” to encompass efforts related to both civil and criminal federal immigration laws.

Assembly Health Committee Support Letter

SB 830 (Arreguín, D-Oakland)

Support

Passed the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on July 14. Passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee on July 15. To be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

SB 830 would expedite Sutter Health’s new hospital expansion project in Emeryville by designating it as an Environmental Leadership Hospital Campus Project, thereby streamlining California Environmental Quality Act lawsuit adjudication and allowing for a focused Environmental Impact Report that addresses only the impacts directly related to the hospital.

Assembly Natural Resources Committee Support Letter