Bill Tracker
Rural Issues

SB 669 (McGuire, D-San Rafael)

In Progress Support

SB 669 (McGuire, D-San Rafael) Details

Passed the Senate on May 29. July 1 hearing in the Assembly Health Committee.

SB 669 would require the California Department of Public Health to establish a five-year pilot program allowing qualified critical access hospitals and individual, small system rural hospitals to operate standby perinatal units. To qualify for participation in the pilot program, hospitals must be greater than 60 minutes from the nearest hospital providing full maternity services, not have closed a full maternity or labor and delivery unit on or after Jan. 1, 2025, and agree to provide level 1 basic and neonatal services. CHA is actively working with Pro Tem Mike McGuire’s office to ensure the policy effectively addresses the complex factors driving maternity ward closures while facilitating practical implementation for hospitals.

Assembly Health Committee Support Letter

Vanessa Gonzalez

Job title:
Vice President, State Advocacy

Peggy Broussard Wheeler

Job title:
Vice President, Policy