Transcript Highlights:

• In line 14, it talks about physicians and physician assistants.
• So why not let those assistance programs be for a patient?
• One of the first is patient assistance programs that deal with co-pay assistance.
• And so we're going to have patient assistance programs.
• Without the co-pay assistance, Without the co-pay assistance, they're either not able to meet their deductible

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Summary: The committee first heard House Bills 2365, 2490, and 2249, a bipartisan version of Elijah’s Law, which would require child care facilities to receive training and guidance on recognizing and responding to food allergies and anaphylaxis. Sponsors described the bill as a response to the death of Elijah, whose daycare did not administer epinephrine quickly enough after a food exposure. Witnesses in support, including a parent and food allergy advocate, said the measure would improve preparedness and save lives. Committee members asked about whether the bill should use broader epinephrine terminology, whether the requirements could also be handled through child care licensing rules, and whether the bill was already included in a larger measure. No opposition was presented, and the hearing on those bills was closed. The committee then heard House Bill 1965, which would require insurers to reimburse athletic trainers for covered services and add athletic trainers to the practitioner definition for billing purposes. The sponsor and athletic training witnesses said the bill would recognize athletic trainers as licensed health care providers, improve access in rural and underserved areas, and allow reimbursement when trainers work in clinics, hospitals, or other non-school settings. Committee members raised repeated questions about the difference between athletic trainers and physical therapists, whether school-based services were already paid through contracts, whether the bill would increase costs or create double payment, and how diagnosis and billing would work under the current scope of practice. Opponents from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and the Missouri Insurance Coalition argued the bill would create a mandate, increase costs, and expand billing before clarifying the underlying scope of practice. No vote was taken in public hearing. The committee then moved into executive session and voted several bills do pass. A substitute was adopted for House Bill 1826 and the committee substitute for House Bills 1826, 2560, 2349, and 2194 passed 17-0. House Bill 1783 also passed 17-0. House Bill 2372, which incorporated multiple related provisions including changes to epinephrine terminology and other committee items, passed 17-1 after a substitute and amendment were adopted. House Bill 1827, the occupational therapy bill related to disabled placards and license plates, passed 18-0. The committee then returned to public hearing and heard House Bills 1941 and 2279, which would prohibit copay accumulator programs for fully insured plans so that third-party assistance counts toward a patient’s deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. Sponsors and a rheumatologist testified that the bills would prevent patients with serious illnesses from being forced to pay the same deductible twice and said similar laws have been enacted in many other states. Opponents from America’s Health Insurance Plans argued the measure would affect only a minority of plans, raise costs in the individual and small-group market, and could worsen affordability for remaining enrollees. The hearing ended without a vote on those bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, 1.2 million veterans rely on SNAP or CalFresh in California for food assistance benefits
• Consequently, many veterans file their initial claims either on their own or with the assistance of a
• And really looking at the tools that we have: our California Transition Assistance Program, our MHSA
• And really looking at the tools that we have, you know, our California Transition Assistance Program,
• And we work on community education, program development, evaluation, and technical assistance from my

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs held an informational hearing focused on the effects of federal budget cuts and policy changes on veterans, military readiness, and California’s veteran support systems. The chair and members emphasized that federal reductions to the VA, Medicaid/Medi-Cal, SNAP, and the federal workforce are disproportionately harming veterans by threatening health care, employment, housing, crisis lines, and suicide prevention services. The chair also highlighted California’s progress on veteran homelessness and the importance of preserving state programs that leverage federal dollars. Major General Matthew Beavers of the California Military Department described the department’s structure, its response to the Los Angeles fire emergency, and concerns that federal cuts could reduce readiness through less training, older equipment, and fewer resources. He also discussed state programs such as Work for Warriors, STARBASE, youth and community schools, and the counterdrug task force, saying they are valuable but vulnerable if funding is redirected away from readiness. Members asked about the impact of federal changes on the Guard and how the Legislature could help, and Beavers said the state should advocate for recapitalized equipment and continued support for key programs. A second panel focused on veterans’ benefits and claims support. CalVet, Los Angeles County, and Swords to Plowshares testified that county veteran service officers, legal aid, and community-based partnerships are essential to helping veterans access VA benefits, especially after the PACT Act expanded eligibility and increased claims volume. Witnesses said these services bring substantial federal dollars back to California, but county offices and legal providers are underfunded and overburdened. Members discussed data sharing, staffing shortages, and the need for more resources to reach veterans who are not connected to VA care. In the final panel on mental health and suicide prevention, CalVet and nonprofit providers described state-funded programs such as the Veterans Support Self-Reliance program and the California Veterans Health Initiative, which place services in permanent supportive housing and provide no-cost counseling statewide. Witnesses said these programs are showing measurable improvements in health, medication adherence, and emergency room use, but they depend on sustained funding and are vulnerable to step-down grants and federal instability. Committee members expressed support for the programs and raised questions about access, staffing, and the role of non-veteran family members in Vet Center services.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are increases of funding for legal aid assistance. I believe, as Ms.
• from the universal and targeted assistance proposal.
• from the universal and targeted assistance proposal.
• from the universal and targeted assistance proposal.
• from the universal and targeted assistance proposal.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• What are we currently doing right now to assist counties?
• The department is happy to provide any further technical assistance.
• Over 20 states still pass through nothing to those currently assisted families.
• Our average collections for currently assisted cases were $11.5 million last year.
• Central Sierra assists families in Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, and Tuolumne counties.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services heard an informational hearing on child welfare, foster care, community care licensing, child support, and related budget issues. CDSS described the Governor’s proposed child and family services budget, emphasized a family-centered and kin-first approach, and reported that foster care entries and congregate care placements have declined over the past decade. Witnesses also highlighted the importance of extended foster care to age 21, while noting persistent racial disparities for Native American and Black children and the need for stronger prevention, family finding, and community-based supports. A major focus was the proposed tiered rate structure (TRS), which CDSS said would shift funding from placement-based rates to child-centered supports, including care and supervision, strength-building dollars, and immediate needs funding paired with high-fidelity wraparound services. CDSS and county representatives said implementation is on track, with foundational policy guidance expected by the end of the year, CANS/CFT timeliness targeted by year-end, and the CWS CARES system nearing go-live in October 2026. Counties and providers raised concerns about whether the rate model and wraparound capacity will be sufficient, especially for higher-acuity youth, and asked for more data, clearer guidance, and continued collaboration. County Welfare Directors Association representatives also requested continued emergency response funding and an extension of flexible family supports, arguing both are needed to stabilize front-end child welfare work and bridge to TRS. Providers from FFAs and STRTPs warned that insurance costs, provider closures, and the transition to TRS could threaten service capacity unless the state addresses long-term insurance and reimbursement issues. LAO noted the Governor’s budget contains no new child welfare augmentations and said the main General Fund change reflects the expiration of one-time funding. No votes were taken; members instead asked for follow-up data, technical assistance, and possible future legislative or trailer bill solutions, including on insurance and implementation timelines.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's really just an effort to make sure that our assistant attorney generals are actually covered by
• So I think we want to have assistant attorney general in there, or not to all staff, but all to the assistant
• So I think we want to have assistant attorney general in there, or not to all staff, but all to the assistant
• , the circuit attorney and any assistant circuit attorney.
• And the assistant circuit attorney.

Committee: House General Laws

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, which is also a big reason why nearly 75% of the energy assistance funding went to households outside
• </c> nearly 75% of the energy assistance nearly 75% of the energy assistance funding<00:02:49.280><c>
• who have a past due balance assistance who have a past due balance greater<00:10:42.399><c> than</c>
• So the late payment charges would enable Xcel to launch that program this year and provide assistance
• Thank you for allowing us this time. balances after customer assistance are balances after customer assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• There are already existing technical assistance programs.
• In addition to that, we have a down payment assistance program, or several down payment assistance programs
• That's our Collateral Assistance Program.
• That kind of training and one-to-one assistance, but also space.
• assistance in that area.

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the main programs that it supports are food assistance, also known as SNAP, cash assistance,
• also known as TANF, and medical coverage assistance in Medicaid.
• clients who need assistance in applying for benefits.
• clients who need assistance in applying for benefits.
• There was. that need further assistance, that's what this module served as purpose for.

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs received a Department of Children and Families update from CIO Cole Sousa on three major technology modernization efforts: ACCESS, CWIS, and FASMS. For ACCESS, he described the six-year, $205 million project to replace the aging eligibility system used for SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid applications, noting completed releases such as the MyACCESS portal, document management, partner portal, workload management, and client registration modules. He said the system now supports mobile applications, multi-factor authentication, and bot detection, and that the next budget request is $36.625 million to continue moving workers off the mainframe, modernize notices, and complete more worker-portal functions. Members asked about performance data, interoperability with other systems, and the relationship to the FX project and APD; Sousa said API-based real-time exchanges are the goal and that current average case processing time is about 30 days, though he would provide a more exact figure later. The committee then heard about CWIS, a four-year, $75 million child welfare modernization project. Sousa said phase one is complete, including hotline intake, investigations, mandatory reporter, youth, parent, and mobile portals, along with mobile field tools, e-signatures, and customizable dashboards. Current work is focused on case management, assessment and safety planning, licensure, and placement modules, with collaboration from community-based care providers through advisory sessions. For the next fiscal year, DCF is requesting $28 million and expects to finish development by summer and launch in September, while continuing change management and training. Senators pressed on interoperability with ACCESS, FX, and FASMS, the use of a single unique identifier, and whether CBCs would be required to use the statewide system; Sousa said the department’s goal is one statewide system, with licensing costs absorbed by the state and no plan for dual systems after go-live. Finally, Sousa gave a brief update on FASMS, the financial and services accountability system used by managing entities. He said it remains in maintenance mode while DCF prioritizes ACCESS and CWIS, and that modernization of FASMS is still being planned with partner agencies. He estimated current maintenance costs at about $1.3 million and suggested a future modernization could cost roughly $5 million to $7 million, though no firm timeline has been set. The committee expressed support for using data and interoperable systems to improve decision-making, and the meeting adjourned without any votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we also have public assistance offices.
• Go apply for public assistance.
• It's the public assistance offices.
• To the public assistance side and vice versa.
• to get that assistance.

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:

• , assistance, assistance, housing<00:04:30.360><c> support</c><00:04:30.760><c> services</c><00:04:31.320
• </c> they have utilized these funds to assist they have utilized these funds to assist families<00:09
• It can be used for rental assistance, utility assistance, eviction prevention and move-in support.
• assistance Unfortunately, emergency assistance sometimes<00:40:49.840><c> doesn't</c><00:40:50.080><
• , and other basic assistance.

Bills: HF4561 , HF4343

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Since 2022, demand for food assistance has increased by about 6%.
• Cannot afford to lose a single dollar of their cash assistance.
• Our team also increased work to provide technical assistance.
• Our team also increased work to provide technical assistance.
• Thank you. ...to help families remain stable as federal assistance declines.

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services heard an overview of the expected California budget and program impacts from H.R. 1, including changes to Medi-Cal and CalFresh eligibility, redeterminations, work requirements, immigration-related coverage rules, retroactive coverage limits, and reductions in federal matching for certain services and provider financing mechanisms. DHCS and CDSS described implementation plans focused on automation, data matching, clearer communications, county training, and outreach, while noting that many federal details are still pending. The Legislative Analyst’s Office also reviewed how H.R. 1 could increase pressure on county indigent care systems, explaining the history of county responsibility under Section 17000, 1991 realignment, and AB 85, and warning that counties may face large increases in uninsured residents seeking care without corresponding funding flexibility. An independent policy expert urged consideration of a more standardized statewide approach to indigent care and raised questions about governance, benefits, and financing. Department witnesses estimated substantial coverage losses and fiscal effects: DHCS projected major Medi-Cal disenrollment tied to work requirements, six-month renewals, narrowed immigrant eligibility, and reduced retroactive coverage, while CDSS estimated large CalFresh benefit losses and a significant increase in administrative workload and payment accuracy pressure. Members questioned how exemptions would work for older adults, people experiencing homelessness, undocumented residents, and cash workers, and asked about the effect on the CalFresh Minimum Nutrition Benefit Pilot and on county administrative funding. Officials said they would use available data and self-attestation where possible, but acknowledged that many cases would require manual screening and that the county workload estimates remain in dispute. They also said the state is still evaluating the impact of H.R. 1 on provider taxes and state-directed payments, which could create additional budget pressure. County representatives from Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Tulare, and San Bernardino described major local consequences if H.R. 1 is implemented as written. They warned of higher uninsured rates, more strain on emergency rooms and public hospitals, increased homelessness and food insecurity, and a likely need to rebuild or expand county indigent care programs that were largely scaled back after the ACA. Counties said they are already freezing hiring, cutting positions, reducing overtime, deferring spending, and launching outreach and coordination efforts with managed care plans and community partners, but argued that these steps are not enough without additional state support. Several counties backed the California County Welfare Directors Association’s request for $373 million in General Fund support for eligibility work and asked for a CalFresh match waiver to soften the new county share of administrative costs; Los Angeles and Santa Clara also emphasized that their local revenue measures would not close the projected gaps. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assistant Commissioner. Mr.
• </c> document, um, Assistant Commissioner. document, um, Assistant Commissioner.
• </c><00:42:26.080><c> Chair,</c> Assistant Commissioner Mr. Chair, Assistant Commissioner Mr.
• If the Assistant Commissioner could make If the Assistant Commissioner could make his<00:55:51.280><c
• And Assistant Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• 1868.2, the authorization of co-pay assistance.
• Senator Edmonds, I can speak to the copay benefit assistance plans.
• So they will often offer $10,000 to $20,000 per patient per year in copay assistance.
• And the copay assistance then is absorbed by the mothership.
• You say you couldn't, you could apply for a grant assistance or some other kind of assistance and could

Bills: HB591 , HB765 , HB826 , HB870 , HB938 , HB1151 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1196 , HB1236 , HB1241

Committee: Senate Insurance

Keywords: family leave, insurance, paid leave, employment benefits, caregiver support, liability insurance, coverage defenses, direct action, judgment enforcement, legal procedures, insurance referrals, compensation, non-licensed agents, consumer protection, insurance products, HB 870, Act 907, Louisiana insurance, health insurance, prescription drugs

Transcript Highlights:

• So really, child care assistance is In prior to November 1st, child care assistance was limited to any
• And so the red lines are every time that the state has expanded child care assistance.
• Childcare assistance helps families work and go to school and participate economically.
• In my mind, it's my understanding that these convenings assist and are available.
• Assistant Secretary Dr.

Bills: SB2

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways

Transcript Highlights:

• Since 2022, demand for food assistance has increased by about 6%.
• We didn't... ...cannot afford to lose a single dollar of their cash assistance.
• people back on Medi-Cal than give counties money for assistance just to keep...
• Our team also increased work to provide technical assistance.
• You're not going to be requesting less assistance. It's more strategic or right.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an extended briefing on the impacts of H.R. 1 on Medi-Cal and CalFresh, followed by testimony from the Legislative Analyst’s Office and county officials. DHCS described major Medi-Cal changes in H.R. 1, including work/community engagement requirements, six-month redeterminations, reduced federal matching for some emergency services, narrower immigrant eligibility, reduced retroactive coverage, and limits on provider taxes and directed payments. CDSS outlined CalFresh changes, especially the expanded able-bodied adults without dependents time limit, reduced exemptions and waivers, and the new federal-state-county administrative cost split. Both departments emphasized implementation plans, automation, outreach, and county coordination, while acknowledging significant expected coverage losses and administrative burden. The LAO and an independent policy expert discussed how H.R. 1 could increase demand on county indigent care systems and public hospitals as people lose Medi-Cal. They reviewed the history of county indigent care, 1991 realignment, and AB 85, explaining that counties already rely on a patchwork of funding and that current realignment revenues are often used for public health rather than indigent care. They warned that counties may face large increases in uninsured residents, with wide variation in how counties respond, and raised concerns about equity, financing, and whether a more standardized state-county program should be created. Committee members pressed witnesses on county funding, exemptions, homelessness, older adults, undocumented residents, and the effect of administrative burden versus true ineligibility. County representatives from Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Tulare, and San Bernardino described the expected local impacts and asked for additional state support. They said H.R. 1 would drive major losses in Medi-Cal and CalFresh enrollment, increase uncompensated care, strain eligibility staff, and worsen homelessness and food insecurity. Several counties urged the Legislature to fund eligibility workers, preserve enrollment, and consider a CalFresh match waiver; Santa Clara and San Bernardino also cited local tax measures and staffing reductions already underway. No formal vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Parker Fouts, who's our committee assistant. Hi, Parker.
• Two, the $100 per student cut to local effort assistance.
• Statewide, we're part of a network that assists over 52,000 victims of crime annually.
• This is ...part of a network that assists over 52,000 victims of crime annually.
• We really need additional assistance in the MSOC funding area.

Bills: HB2289

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: appropriations, budget, fiscal matters, state spending, general fund, supplemental budget, biennial budget, substitute bill, public defense, civil legal aid, courts, judicial branch, homelessness, supportive housing, affordable housing, behavioral health, juvenile rehabilitation, youth services, child welfare, foster care

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> was simply cameraass assisted was simply cameraass assisted enforcement.<00:10:32.160><c> And</c
• And so it's camera-assisted.
• And so it's camera-assisted.
• Municipality would be able to do a similar program like the camera-assisted.
• </c> talking about the camera assistant talking about the camera assistant enforcement,<00:14:23.440>

Transcript Highlights:

• No, we don't have help for housing, monetary assistance, and even though we can access Medi-Cal, it's
• People want to know, if I need assistance, if mom or dad needs assistance, how many people are going
• Danielle Parsons with the California Assisted Living Association.
• Danielle Parsons with the California Assisted Living Association, in support. Thank you.
• We also experienced the largest evacuation of nursing homes and assisted living residents.

Summary: The Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee met on April 22, established a quorum, and adopted its 2023-24 committee rules. The hearing then considered five bills focused on aging, long-term care, immigrant seniors, nutrition, and emergency preparedness. AB 450 would create a task force to study the needs of undocumented Californians age 55 and older; supporters from CHIRLA and other advocates described barriers to housing, health care, retirement, and digital access, while members raised questions about eligibility and process. The bill was approved on a due pass motion and re-referred to the Committee on Human Services. AB 508 would require residential care facilities for the elderly to disclose staffing information upon request at admission and when rates increase. The author and supporters argued that staffing levels are closely tied to quality of care and that families need transparency to make informed choices; a witness described her father’s death in an understaffed facility. Assisted living industry representatives opposed the bill as burdensome but said they were continuing discussions with the author. The committee adopted amendments and passed the bill to Appropriations. AB 1476 would allow senior congregate meal programs to continue offering to-go meals, a practice expanded during the pandemic. Supporters said the option improved access for homebound and food-insecure seniors and helped bring people into senior centers; there was no opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1068 would create a working group on evacuation and sheltering needs for older adults and people with disabilities in long-term care during disasters, and AB 1069 would ensure area agencies on aging and aging/disability resource programs have access to emergency shelters to provide services. Both measures drew broad support from aging, disability, and advocacy groups, with testimony citing recent fires and evacuations, and both were approved and re-referred to the Committee on Emergency Management. The committee also left rolls open for additional members to add votes before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• this very important measure, SB 748, which would give local jurisdictions additional resources to assist
• That's more than 3,000 adults here in the state of California who are annually having their assistance
• Having their assistance reduced just due to this immunization sanction.
• Selina Kopee Hornback, with the California Assisted Living Association, representing residential care
• I was very grateful to have the help and assistance.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard several homelessness, public benefits, and aging-related bills. SB 748 would expand Encampment Resolution Funding to support safe parking sites for people living in cars or RVs, require quarterly reporting from HCD on outcomes, and direct LAO evaluation; supporters said it would help local governments reduce RV encampments while connecting people to housing and services. SB 290 would repeal the CalWORKs immunization sanction that reduces aid when parents cannot provide acceptable proof of a child’s vaccination; supporters argued the penalty unfairly harms families already in poverty and can worsen instability, while no opposition testified. SB 606 would define “functional zero” for overall and unsheltered homelessness and require local jurisdictions to plan for and report on the housing and interim shelter needed to reach that goal; supporters said it would add accountability and focus on reducing unsheltered homelessness, and one group moved from opposition to neutral after amendments. SB 433 would create an income-based room-and-board cap and personal needs allowance for all Medi-Cal assisted living participants in residential care facilities for the elderly, not just SSI recipients; supporters said it would prevent eviction and homelessness among low-income seniors and people with disabilities, and facility groups withdrew opposition or moved to neutral after amendments. SB 761 would require students applying for Cal Grants to be notified that they may be eligible for CalFresh and given information on how to apply; supporters said it would address widespread student food insecurity and low enrollment among eligible students. The committee accepted amendments on the bills, and all of the measures discussed were reported out on 7-0 or similar unanimous votes to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, with the consent calendar also approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and that unlicensed dental assistants are supervised by their dentist employer.
• He said SB 1311 allows an unlicensed dental assistant to either complete the Dental Assisting National
• He explained that the Dental Assisting National Board's infection control exam tests whether a person
• We do have a new concern, we assume that an exam that has the title of the Dental Assisting National
• We assume that an exam that has the title of the Dental Assisting National Board Exam would have the

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development