Healthcare

This bill designates May 2026 as Behavioral Health Awareness Month in California. It requires state agencies and public entities to acknowledge this month, likely through proclamations or public communications. The measure does not alter funding, laws, or services but serves to highlight the importance of mental and behavioral health awareness.

This bill designates the week of May 25 to May 29 as Firefighter Mental Health Awareness Week. It directly affects the state by officially recognizing this specific time period to highlight the importance of mental health support for firefighters. The measure does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal proclamation to raise awareness about the topic. Once enacted, it becomes part of the state statutes as a commemorative resolution.

This measure would recognize May 4, 2026, to May 8, 2026, inclusive, and every first full week of May thereafter, as Black Health Equity Advocacy Week and commend the California Black Health Network and other organizations throughout the state for their efforts to improve the health, well-being, and life expectancy of Black Californians.

Existing law, the Physical Therapy Practice Act, establishes the Physical Therapy Board of California to license and regulate physical therapists and the practice of physical therapy. A violation of the act is a crime. Existing law defines the terms "physical therapist," "physical therapist assistant," and "physical therapy" and sets forth the scope of practice of a physical therapist. Existing law authorizes only a licensed physical therapist to use the title "physical therapist" or the letters "P.T." or any other words, letters, or figures indicating that the person is a licensed physical therapist. Existing law requires the board to define those doctoral degrees that are in a related health science for specified provisions of the Physical Therapy Practice Act. Existing law authorizes a licensed physical therapist who has received a doctoral degree in physical therapy or, after the adoption of the above-described definition by the board, a doctoral degree in a related health science to, among other things, use the initials "DPT," "PhD," or "EdD", as applicable, in a written communication following the licensee's name. Existing regulations define a physical therapy related health science for the purpose of the above-described authorization to include, among other things, biology, biomechanics, and exercise physiology. This bill, among other changes to the act, would redefine "physical therapy," "physical therapist," and "physical therapist assistant" for purposes of the act, as specified. The bill would, among other things, prohibit the use of any words, abbreviation, or insignia implying that physical therapy is provided unless those services are provided by or under the direction of a licensed physical therapist. The bill would delete the requirement on the board to define the doctoral degrees that are in a related health science described above and would update those provisions to, instead, specify that the doctoral degrees in a related health science are those specified by the board in regulation. The bill would additionally authorize a licensed physical therapist who has received a doctoral degree in physical therapy or a related health science to use the initials "DSc", as applicable, following the licensee's name. This bill would delete existing requirements for the performance of tissue penetration by a physical therapist and instead would include within the practice of physical therapy the use of electrode needles to perform tissue penetration for the purpose of evaluating and interpreting performance of the neuromusculoskeletal system. Existing law prohibits a physical therapist from supervising more than 2 physical therapist assistants at one time and establishes conditions for the initiation of services by a physical therapist directly, including providing a specified notice, orally and in writing, to a patient that is signed by the patient. This bill would increase the number of physical therapist assistants a physical therapist is authorized to supervise from 2 to 3. The bill would require a physical therapist to refer a patient to a physician and surgeon or other appropriately licensed health care provider when the situation or condition of the patient is beyond the scope of the education and training of the physical therapist. The bill would repeal the notice and other requirements for the provision of direct physical therapy treatment services. Because the bill would expand the scope of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

This bill designates May 2026 as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month to highlight the importance of mental health support for mothers. It serves as a symbolic proclamation rather than a law that changes regulations or imposes new requirements. The measure directly affects state officials who will recognize the month and may encourage public awareness campaigns during that time.

Existing law authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to establish and maintain classes for incarcerated persons utilizing institutional personnel or entering into an agreement with the governing board of a school district or private school. Existing law requires the department to develop and implement a plan to obtain additional rehabilitation and treatment services for incarcerated persons and parolees. Existing law requires that plan to include, among other things, filling vacant state staff positions that provide direct and indirect rehabilitation services, or obtaining services from local governments and contractors to assist with treatment for parolees and incarcerated persons. This bill would require the department to establish a 3-year pilot program at 2 institutions that would provide access to specified mental health therapy for certain incarcerated persons not classified by the department to receive mental health treatment from the institution. The bill would require communications during therapy sessions, as specified, between the incarcerated person and assigned therapist to be confidential. The bill would require the California Correctional Health Care Services to be the custodian of records for treatment records generated under this pilot program. The bill would require the department to report certain information to the fiscal and appropriate policy committees of the Legislature, from March 1, 2028, to March 1, 2031. The bill would make related findings and declarations.

Existing law generally provides for the compensation of victims and derivative victims of specified types of crimes by the California Victim Compensation Board from the Restitution Fund, which is continuously appropriated to the board. Existing law authorizes the board to grant for pecuniary loss, when the board determines that it will best aid the person seeking compensation, as specified. Existing law authorizes the board to reimburse, among other things, the amount of medical or medical-related expenses and outpatient psychiatric, psychological, or other mental health counseling-related expenses incurred by the victim or derivative victim, as specified. This bill would also authorize the board to reimburse the expense of tuition at an educational institution, not to exceed $10,000, to a full- or part-time student who is a victim of sexual assault or violence if the victim is unable to continue attendance or suffers an academic setback, as described. The bill would authorize the board to limit compensation to the term the crime occurred and the immediately following term, and would require the calculation of an award based on certain factors, as specified. By expanding the board's authorization for use of moneys in the Restitution Fund, a continuously appropriated fund, this bill would make an appropriation.

Existing law, the Song-Brown Health Care Workforce Training Act, declares the intent of the Legislature to increase the number of students and residents receiving quality education and training in specified primary care specialties and as primary care physician's assistants, primary care nurse practitioners, and registered nurses. This bill would require the Department of Health Care Access and Information to maintain a New Nursing Graduate Support and Placement Program to award program grants to community college associate degree of nursing programs, through which support grants would be awarded to recent graduates for loan repayment assistance, relocation, transportation, housing assistance, childcare, and other financial support. The bill would specify grant eligibility criteria for community colleges and recent graduates. The bill would require the department to consider labor standards of hospital sites that employ support grant applicants when determining grant distribution. Implementation of these provisions would be contingent upon appropriation by the Legislature. This bill would also express the intent of the Legislature to support and strengthen existing programs that train registered nurses under the Song-Brown Health Care Workforce Training Act.

This bill designates April 2026 as Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month in California. It directly affects state officials and the public by formally recognizing the importance of raising awareness for this specific health condition. The primary mechanism is a legislative proclamation that appears in the state statutes to mark the month. This action serves as an official acknowledgment of the disease without changing laws or funding.

This bill designates the month of March 2026 as Kidney Month in California to raise awareness about chronic kidney disease. It highlights the importance of early detection and screening, noting that many people with the condition are unaware they have it. The resolution aims to educate the public on prevention and the risks associated with kidney failure, particularly among marginalized communities.