Health.

The California Senate Health Committee has introduced legislation making technical corrections and updates across multiple health-related programs and policies. The bill revises patient safety reporting requirements for health facilities, modifying the submission schedule from biannual to biennial starting in 2026. It also enhances nurse assistant certification training by requiring specific instruction on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

The legislation expands access to drug assistance programs by increasing income eligibility thresholds from 500% to 600% of the federal poverty level beginning January 2025. For hospital charity care policies, it allows electronic notification of discount payment programs, except for emergency room visits which must receive written notice.

In the insurance sector, the bill requires large group disability policies to cover infertility treatments starting July 2025, including up to three oocyte retrievals with unlimited embryo transfers. It prohibits discriminatory exclusions or limitations on fertility services.

The measure also updates mental health program administration, revising reporting requirements for county systems and refining the allocation of behavioral health funds. It maintains existing programs like Early Psychosis Intervention Plus while standardizing data collection and evaluation metrics to ensure effective service delivery.

For educational institutions, the legislation mandates development of model policies addressing body shaming in K-12 schools by June 2025, with guidelines for implementing these policies through student handbooks and school websites. It establishes a $5 million School Health Demonstration Project to expand comprehensive health services in public schools through technical assistance and targeted funding.