AB 3161 (Bonta, D-Oakland)

AB 3161 would require general acute care hospitals, acute psychiatric hospitals, and special hospitals, that report adverse events to provide the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) with additional patient demographic data including age, race, ethnicity, gender identity (to the extent known), sexual orientation (to the extent known), primary language spoken, disability status, and expected payer. The bill would also require hospitals to update their patient safety plans to include anonymous reporting options and a process for addressing racism and discrimination. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, hospitals would be required to submit their patient safety plans to CDPH biannually, and the plans would be posted on CDPH’s website. The bill would authorize CDPH to impose a fine of up to $5,000 on health facilities that do not adopt, update, or submit patient safety plans. CHA will continue to work with the author’s office on further clarifying amendments.