Health care coverage: essential health benefits.

Legislative status

1. Introduced
2. In Committee
3. Reported by Committee
4. Floor Vote Scheduled
5. Passed One Chamber
6. Passed Both Chambers
7. Sent to Executive
8. Enacted

Summary

The bill amends the Health and Safety Code to require individual and small‑group health plans to cover a defined set of essential health benefits, using a benchmark plan based on the 2014 Kaiser Small Group HMO 30 plan. Starting Jan. 1, 2027, if the federal HHS approves a new benchmark, the plan must also include specific fertility services, durable medical equipment, hearing, pediatric vision and oral care. Violations become a state crime, but the state does not have to reimburse local agencies for any costs.

AI-generated summary — may be incomplete or inaccurate. Verify against the official bill text.

Vote

Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 76. Noes 0. Page 2873.) Ordered to the Senate. · Sep 3, 2025

Hearings

• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · Aug 20, 2025
• Health Committee Hearing
  Health · Jul 15, 2025
• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · May 23, 2025
• Appropriations Committee Hearing
  Appropriations · May 12, 2025
• Health Committee Hearing
  Health · Apr 30, 2025

History

1. Oct 13, 2025Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 739, Statutes of 2025.
2. Oct 13, 2025Approved by the Governor.
3. Sep 16, 2025Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
4. Sep 8, 2025Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 2604.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
5. Sep 3, 2025Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 76. Noes 0. Page 2873.) Ordered to the Senate.
6. Sep 3, 2025In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
7. Aug 21, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
8. Aug 20, 2025From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (August 20).
9. Jul 16, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (July 15). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
10. Jul 1, 2025From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on HEALTH.
11. Jun 5, 2025Referred to Com. on HEALTH.
12. May 28, 2025In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.

The 12 most recent of 24 recorded actions.

Sponsors

• Menjivar · sponsor
• Bonta

Bill text

Opens the legislature’s own copy.

Similar bills in other states

Loading the map of where bills like this one were filed.

Topics

Share