California Assembly Bill AB1914

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/12/26
• Refer: 3/2/26
• Report Pass: 4/16/26
• Refer: 4/21/26
• Report Pass: 4/23/26
• Refer: 4/28/26
• Report Pass: 5/6/26
• Engrossed: 5/21/26
• Refer: 5/21/26
• Refer: 6/3/26
• Report Pass: 6/8/26
• Refer: 6/8/26

Caption

An act to add Section 65302.03 to the Government Code, relating to land use.

Summary

AB 1914 would require every city, county, and city and county in California to prepare and adopt a childcare plan, or incorporate one into the jurisdiction’s general plan, between January 1, 2028 and January 1, 2033. The plan must address local childcare needs and may cover existing childcare-related planning already adopted by a jurisdiction if it meets the bill’s requirements. The bill defines childcare broadly to include license-exempt childcare and state childcare and development services and programs for children up to age 13, including children with exceptional needs and children from all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. The measure is framed as a land use and planning bill, adding a new section to the Government Code within the Planning and Zoning Law. It also declares that childcare planning is a matter of statewide concern, which is intended to make the requirement apply to charter cities as well as general law cities. Finally, the bill states that no state reimbursement is required for the mandate, relying on local authority to fund the program through fees, charges, or assessments.

Impact

AB 1914 would expand the contents of local general plans by creating a new childcare planning requirement for all cities and counties. It would affect local planning departments, city councils, county boards, and charter cities by requiring them to evaluate childcare access, infrastructure, and related needs as part of long-term land use planning. The bill would also interact with existing general plan update cycles by allowing jurisdictions to satisfy the requirement through the next adoption of their general plan, or by designating an already-adopted comparable childcare plan.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have generally favorable momentum in committee, with strong majority support in the votes reflected in the record. The legislative findings emphasize childcare access, affordability, safety, and disaster preparedness, indicating a policy consensus that childcare planning is a statewide priority. The fact that the bill advanced through committee and was re-referred to Appropriations suggests support, though with recognition that fiscal and implementation issues still needed review.

Contention

The main points of contention are likely to be local control, mandate scope, and fiscal responsibility. By declaring childcare planning a matter of statewide concern, the bill limits charter cities’ ability to opt out, which may raise concerns among local governments about state intrusion into municipal planning authority. Another likely issue is the practical burden on cities and counties to develop new plans or integrate them into existing general plans, even though the bill says no reimbursement is required. The appropriations referral also suggests concern about administrative costs and implementation impacts on local agencies.