Health.
- Requires health facilities to submit patient safety plans every two years instead of twice per year starting January 2026.
- Mandates nurse assistant training programs include 2 hours of instruction on Alzheimer's disease and dementia care.
- Allows hospitals to provide discount payment notices electronically except for emergency room visits.
- Increases AIDS Drug Assistance Program eligibility from 500% to 600% of federal poverty level in 2025.
The California Senate Health Committee has introduced legislation making technical adjustments across multiple health-related programs and regulations. The bill modifies patient safety reporting requirements, updates healthcare training standards, and refines mental health service delivery protocols.
Health facilities will now submit patient safety plans biennially rather than biannually starting in 2026. The plans must detail protocols for preventing patient safety events and include analyses of sociodemographic factors to identify potential disparities. Facilities failing to submit plans may face fines up to $5,000.
The legislation enhances nurse assistant certification requirements by mandating that at least two hours of classroom training specifically address caring for patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. This specialized training component augments existing requirements covering various developmental and mental health conditions.
For hospital communications about financial assistance, the bill permits electronic delivery of discount payment and charity care notices, except for emergency room visits which must remain in paper form. Electronic notices must be sent separately from other communications and clearly labeled regarding their content.
The measure also updates syndromic surveillance systems by allowing healthcare entities to report data through local health departments rather than directly to the state system if those local systems can transmit data to the state by July 2027. This provides reporting flexibility while maintaining data collection standards aligned with federal guidelines.
For health insurance, the bill refines coverage requirements for infertility treatments and behavioral health screenings. Large group plans must provide coverage for up to three completed oocyte retrievals with unlimited embryo transfers, while small group plans must offer but are not required to provide this coverage. Annual electronic notices about behavioral health screening benefits for youth ages 8-18 remain mandatory.
The legislation makes various technical corrections to mental health program names and oversight structures to reflect recent voter-approved changes. It maintains existing funding allocation formulas and reporting requirements while updating terminology to align with current practices.
 Joaquin ArambulaD Assemblymember | Committee Member |  Not Contacted | |
 Buffy WicksD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Lisa CalderonD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Mike FongD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Diane DixonR Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted |
- Requires health facilities to submit patient safety plans every two years instead of twice per year starting January 2026.
- Mandates nurse assistant training programs include 2 hours of instruction on Alzheimer's disease and dementia care.
- Allows hospitals to provide discount payment notices electronically except for emergency room visits.
- Increases AIDS Drug Assistance Program eligibility from 500% to 600% of federal poverty level in 2025.
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
The California Senate Health Committee has introduced legislation making technical adjustments across multiple health-related programs and regulations. The bill modifies patient safety reporting requirements, updates healthcare training standards, and refines mental health service delivery protocols.
Health facilities will now submit patient safety plans biennially rather than biannually starting in 2026. The plans must detail protocols for preventing patient safety events and include analyses of sociodemographic factors to identify potential disparities. Facilities failing to submit plans may face fines up to $5,000.
The legislation enhances nurse assistant certification requirements by mandating that at least two hours of classroom training specifically address caring for patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. This specialized training component augments existing requirements covering various developmental and mental health conditions.
For hospital communications about financial assistance, the bill permits electronic delivery of discount payment and charity care notices, except for emergency room visits which must remain in paper form. Electronic notices must be sent separately from other communications and clearly labeled regarding their content.
The measure also updates syndromic surveillance systems by allowing healthcare entities to report data through local health departments rather than directly to the state system if those local systems can transmit data to the state by July 2027. This provides reporting flexibility while maintaining data collection standards aligned with federal guidelines.
For health insurance, the bill refines coverage requirements for infertility treatments and behavioral health screenings. Large group plans must provide coverage for up to three completed oocyte retrievals with unlimited embryo transfers, while small group plans must offer but are not required to provide this coverage. Annual electronic notices about behavioral health screening benefits for youth ages 8-18 remain mandatory.
The legislation makes various technical corrections to mental health program names and oversight structures to reflect recent voter-approved changes. It maintains existing funding allocation formulas and reporting requirements while updating terminology to align with current practices.
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 0 | 1 | 16 | PASS |
Joaquin ArambulaD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Buffy WicksD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Lisa CalderonD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Mike FongD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Diane DixonR Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted |