top of page

First Nursing Legislation Update of 2024!

Happy New Year and welcome back to your first exclusive member legislative update!
With the recent hire of ANA\California's new Policy Aide, Make'da Traynum, we're excited to bring you more behind-the-scenes and timely updates on nursing and healthcare legislation in 2024.
These changes reflect ANA\California's commitment to not only be more transparent about its advocacy, but also share with you how this advocacy influences the progression and well-being of the nursing profession in California.


Quick Highlights:


  • Top ANA\C Supported Bills going into effect Jan 2024 (full list in update below)

    • SB 525 (Durazo) Minimum wages: health care workers

    • SB 487 (Atkins) Abortion: provider protection

    • SB 667  (Dodd) Healing arts: pregnancy and childbirth

    • AB 571  (Petrie-Norris) Medical malpractice insurance


  • Proposition 1 Mental Health Transformation on the March Ballot

    • SB 326 (Eggman) The Behavioral Health Services Act

    • AB 521 (Irwin) The Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond Act of 2023.


  • 2 Year Bill Revived (full list in update below)

    • AB 977 (Rodriguez) Emergency departments: assault and battery  


Read

Read the full legislative update below.

 

What the New Year means for nursing legislation passed in 2023


In 2023, Governor Newsom signed 890 bills, shaping the legislative landscape for California. And as of January 1st, 2024, new laws are in effect, unless mandated otherwise in bill language or by the appropriate agency.


Stay informed with our detailed updates on nursing legislation below to navigate these changes effectively.



ANA\C supported bills in effect January 2024 (Full List)



This bill will raise the minimum wage for California’s lowest-paid health workers to $25 an hour. All healthcare facilities must comply with the rate change by 2033.



This bill will prohibit health insurers and the state from penalizing medical providers who have been sanctioned in other states for performing reproductive care procedures that are otherwise legal in California. 



AB 418 (Gabriel) The California Food Safety Act (a.k.a. the “Skittles Bill”)

This bill bans all food products for human consumption that contain carcinogenic substances: potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, propylparaben, and red dye 3, starting Jan 2027. 



AB 33 (Dr. Brians) & SB 19 (Seyarto) Fentanyl Misuse and Overdose Prevention Task Force

This task force will undertake various duties relating to fentanyl misuse including, among others, collecting and organizing data on the nature and extent of fentanyl misuse in California and evaluating approaches to increase public awareness of fentanyl misuse. Taskforce to begin meeting no later than June 2024. Findings & recommendations report must be done by Dec 2025.



This bill authorizes a minor who is 12 years of age or older to consent to mental health treatment or counseling on an outpatient basis, or to residential shelter services if the minor is mature enough to participate intelligently and either the minor would present a danger of serious physical or mental harm to themselves or others or if the minor is the alleged victim of abuse by July 2024.



AB 571 (Petrie-Norris) Medical malpractice insurance

This bill will prohibit an insurer from refusing to issue or renew or terminating professional liability insurance for health care providers, based on any prohibited bases for discrimination, including a health care provider offering or performing abortion and contraception services.



Aligned with ANA\C’s Coalition Partner: American Lung Association

This bill will enact stronger policies to reach carbon neutrality no later than 2045 and maintain net negative greenhouse gas emissions after 2045. To meet these goals of air quality and decarbonization standards, plans, and regulations, projections from the Energy Commission show the need for a large increase in both the quantity of electricity used and the functions for which electricity will be used.



This bill expands access to healthcare for women and pregnant people in California by removing barriers to ensure Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) can practice to the full extent of their scope of practice. 



This bill would codify the requirement to annually provide a clear and conspicuous privacy notice to customers. The bill would state that an insurance institution or agent complies with this requirement if specified criteria are met, including informing the consumer of the right to submit a written request to access, correct, amend, or delete their personal information. 



What California's Proposition 1 means mental health transformation in 2024


On the upcoming March 5th, 2024 ballot, Proposition 1 - featuring SB 326 (Eggman) and AB 531 (Irwin) - holds the key to a transformative shift in mental health policies.


Your vote is crucial in shaping the approach to the ongoing mental health crisis in California. Make a difference on March 5th by casting your vote for a significant change in how we address mental health challenges in our state.



This bill will amend the Mental Health Services Act to the Behavioral Health Services Act, addressing the current behavioral health needs crisis and the demand for services. It allocates funds to the Department of Behavioral Health, expanding services to include treatment of substance use disorder (SUD) and mental illnesses. Additionally, the bill continues investments in preventative programs.



The Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program, outlined in this bill, aims to construct 10,000 new treatment beds and supportive housing units. This initiative is designed to cater to over 100,000 individuals annually, encompassing veterans, unhoused populations, those at risk, and those affected or at increased risk for medical diseases due to the COVID-19 pandemic or other communicable diseases. This significant investment ensures Californians with behavioral health conditions have a secure space for stabilization, healing, and continuous support.



Reintroduced Legislation

As these bills approach the Appropriation Committee, the Comm. reviews each bill to determine if the fiscal impacts outweigh the expected benefits, and may stop bills from advancing if the costs are deemed greater than the importance of the legislation.


Aligned with our Coalition Partner: Emergency Nurses Association

This bill originally did not pass in the Assembly House in 2023, but Author Assemblymember Rodriguez amended the bill in January 2024. The revised bill passed and is now being reviewed by the Appropriations Committee to determine its fiscal impact (how much it will cost the state to execute this proposed bill). Once done in Appropriations Comm., the bill will have its Second reading by Assemblymember Rodriguez on the floor. If there are no further amendments to the bill, it will proceed to a Third reading and a vote.



What the RN needs to know?

This bill will make an assault or battery committed against a physician, nurse, or other health care worker of a hospital engaged in providing services within the emergency department punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, by a fine not exceeding $2,000, or by both a fine and imprisonment.


Aligned with our Coalition Partner: California Health Coalition Advocacy

This bill did not pass the Appropriations Committee and was placed in the Appropriations Suspense File during the 2023 Legislative Session. Senator Nguyen amended the bill in January 2024. Our ANA\C Lobbyist, Roxanne Gould, testified in support of SB 625. It is uncertain if the bill will pass as it may be held in the Appropriations Committee due to concerns around funding. The committee will announce on January 18th whether the bill will make it off the suspense file and be allowed to advance in the Senate.


We want to hear from you!

These bills stand to greatly impact our nursing community. ANA\C wants to hear from our members on how this legislative activity will affect your profession or everyday lives.





Recent Posts

See All
bottom of page