AB-997
Health & Public Health

Child health and safety: “Have a Heart, Be a Star, Help Our Kids” license plate program.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Increases special license plate fees to fund expanded child safety programs starting July 1, 2027.
  • Reallocates revenue to support childcare provider services and child abuse prevention initiatives.
  • Establishes new funding distribution to county commissions based on population size.
  • Creates oversight mechanisms for tracking program effectiveness and fund allocation.

Summary

Assembly Member Stefani's proposal to modify California's "Have a Heart, Be a Star, Help Our Kids" license plate program includes fee increases and revenue reallocation to expand child safety initiatives. The measure adjusts fees for personalized plates from $50 to $90 for initial issuance and from $40 to $80 for renewals, while department-assigned plates would increase from $20 to $40 for initial issuance and require an additional $30 for renewals.

The bill creates a two-phase implementation for revenue distribution through the Child Health and Safety Fund. Before July 2027, half of the collected fees would support state and local childcare provider services, including licensure, oversight, and training. The remaining funds would address childcare safety and health programs. After July 2027, the revenue split would shift - 50% would fund programs addressing issues like vehicular safety, drowning prevention, and sports injury prevention, while the other half would support child abuse prevention efforts through county and state children's trust funds.

County First 5 commissions would receive funding allocations based on population size, with specific requirements to use these resources for recruiting childcare providers and supporting provider education. The measure also designates funds for the State Department of Public Health to provide technical assistance and oversee injury prevention programs, while establishing support for a statewide injury prevention network through the Safer California Project.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Transportation Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Transportation Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Assembly Human Services Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Human Services Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Transportation] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Catherine StefaniD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
AB-2828
Child health and safety: “Have a Heart, Be a Star, Help Our Kids” license plate program.
February 2024
Failed
SB-608
Child health and safety: “Have a Heart, Be a Star, Help Our Kids” license plate program.
February 2023
Failed
Child health and safety: “Have a Heart, Be a Star, Help Our Kids” license plate program.
February 2022
Failed
Showing 3 of 3 items
Page 1 of 1

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Catherine Stefani
Catherine StefaniD
California State Assembly Member
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/20/2025)

Latest Voting History

April 28, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Transportation Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
160016PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Increases special license plate fees to fund expanded child safety programs starting July 1, 2027.
  • Reallocates revenue to support childcare provider services and child abuse prevention initiatives.
  • Establishes new funding distribution to county commissions based on population size.
  • Creates oversight mechanisms for tracking program effectiveness and fund allocation.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Catherine Stefani
Catherine StefaniD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Stefani's proposal to modify California's "Have a Heart, Be a Star, Help Our Kids" license plate program includes fee increases and revenue reallocation to expand child safety initiatives. The measure adjusts fees for personalized plates from $50 to $90 for initial issuance and from $40 to $80 for renewals, while department-assigned plates would increase from $20 to $40 for initial issuance and require an additional $30 for renewals.

The bill creates a two-phase implementation for revenue distribution through the Child Health and Safety Fund. Before July 2027, half of the collected fees would support state and local childcare provider services, including licensure, oversight, and training. The remaining funds would address childcare safety and health programs. After July 2027, the revenue split would shift - 50% would fund programs addressing issues like vehicular safety, drowning prevention, and sports injury prevention, while the other half would support child abuse prevention efforts through county and state children's trust funds.

County First 5 commissions would receive funding allocations based on population size, with specific requirements to use these resources for recruiting childcare providers and supporting provider education. The measure also designates funds for the State Department of Public Health to provide technical assistance and oversee injury prevention programs, while establishing support for a statewide injury prevention network through the Safer California Project.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/20/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Transportation Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Transportation Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Assembly Human Services Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Human Services Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Transportation] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

April 28, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Transportation Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
160016PASS

Contacts

Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Catherine StefaniD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
AB-2828
Child health and safety: “Have a Heart, Be a Star, Help Our Kids” license plate program.
February 2024
Failed
SB-608
Child health and safety: “Have a Heart, Be a Star, Help Our Kids” license plate program.
February 2023
Failed
Child health and safety: “Have a Heart, Be a Star, Help Our Kids” license plate program.
February 2022
Failed
Showing 3 of 3 items
Page 1 of 1