California Health and Human Services Data Exchange Framework.

Senator Menjivar's proposal to restructure California's health data sharing system would transfer control of the Health and Human Services Data Exchange Framework from the state's Health and Human Services Agency to the Center for Data Insights and Innovation by January 2026. The legislation expands the framework's scope to include social services information alongside health data and establishes new oversight mechanisms.

The bill creates the CalHHS Data Exchange Board, a 12-member body separate from the existing stakeholder advisory group, to review and approve modifications to data sharing agreements and policies. Five voting members would include the Health and Human Services Secretary as chair, two gubernatorial appointees, and one appointee each from Assembly and Senate leadership. Seven non-voting members would represent relevant state departments and programs.

Under the proposal, the Center would gain authority to designate qualified health information organizations as data-sharing intermediaries by July 2025. These intermediaries would help health and social service organizations comply with framework requirements. The Center would also develop processes for investigating disputes between participants and report violations to appropriate licensing and regulatory entities.

The legislation maintains existing requirements for healthcare organizations to execute data sharing agreements, while authorizing the Center to expand participation to additional categories of entities. Starting in 2026, compliance would become a condition for new or amended contracts with the Department of Health Care Services, Public Employees' Retirement System, and state health benefit exchange. The Center must submit annual reports to the Legislature on agreement execution, compliance levels, and consumer experiences with information exchange.