California Health and Human Services Data Exchange Framework.

Senator Menjivar's legislation transfers oversight of California's Health and Human Services Data Exchange Framework from the state Health and Human Services Agency to the Department of Health Care Access and Information (DHCAI) by January 2026. The bill expands requirements for healthcare entities to share patient data while establishing new governance structures to oversee the framework's implementation.

The legislation creates the CalHHS Data Exchange Board, comprising 16 members including seven voting and nine non-voting positions, to review and approve framework updates and policies. By July 2026, DHCAI must establish a process for designating qualified health information organizations as data-sharing intermediaries to facilitate information exchange between participants. The department will also publish non-compliant entities on its website and develop enforcement mechanisms, including dispute resolution processes and opportunities for corrective action.

The bill broadens participation requirements while maintaining exemptions for certain providers until 2026, including physician practices with fewer than 25 physicians and rural hospitals with under 100 acute care beds. Healthcare organizations can meet framework obligations by participating in qualified health information organizations. Annual legislative reports will track compliance, assess consumer experiences, and evaluate technical assistance programs. The framework must align with federal privacy laws while streamlining reporting requirements across providers, insurers and government agencies.