AB 1398 California Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Workers' compensation.

Summary
Existing law establishes a workers' compensation system, administered by the Administrative Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation, to compensate an employee, as defined, for injuries sustained in the course of employment. Existing law provides that it is unlawful for a physician to refer a person for specified medical goods or services whether for treatment or medical-legal purposes if the physician or their immediate family has a financial interest with the person or in the entity that receives the referral, except in prescribed circumstances. Existing law requires all interested parties, as defined, to disclose any financial interest in any entity providing services. A violation of these provisions is a misdemeanor. This bill would require all interested parties to provide written disclosure of their financial interest, if any, to a third-party payer or other entity to whom a claim for payment is presented for services furnished pursuant to a referral. By changing the definition of a crime, this 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.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Sep 2025
Assembly Passage
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Sep 2025
Signed into Law
Oct 2025
Introduced Feb 21, 2025 Signed Oct 11, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

09/08/25 - Enrolled 10/11/25 - Chaptered · 3 edits · Oct 11, 2025
MINOR
No substantive policy changes occurred between the enrolled and chaptered versions of AB 1398. The differences are purely formatting: the document was converted from an enrolled bill layout to a chaptered law format (Chapter 640), with the Governor's approval date (October 11, 2025) added and page headers updated. The statutory text amending Labor Code Section 139.32 is identical in both versions.
TECHNICAL

Document header changed from enrolled bill format to chaptered law format, adding 'STATE OF CALIFORNIA AUTHENTICATED ELECTRONIC LEGAL MATERIAL' and 'CHAPTER 640' designations.

Governor's approval date added: 'Approved by Governor October 11, 2025. Filed with Secretary of State October 11, 2025.'

Page numbering and headers changed from 'AB 1398' format to 'Ch. 640' format throughout the document.

Floor votes · Senate Sep 4, 2025 · Assembly Jun 3, 2025

How they voted

390
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 40
Sep 4, 2025
D Democratic30
29 Yea 1
96% Yea
R Republican10
10 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
23
Key actions
9
Committee
10
Amendments
2
Oct 11, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor.
legislature
Sep 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.
lower
Sep 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 2524.).
upper
Aug 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).
upper
Aug 18, 2025
Committee
In committee: Referred to suspense file.
upper
Jul 9, 2025
Upper · Passed
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (July 9). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
upper
Jun 18, 2025
Committee
Referred to Com. on L., P.E. & R.
upper
Jun 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 1994.)
lower
May 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 23).
lower
May 14, 2025
Committee
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
lower
Apr 28, 2025
Committee
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Read second time and amended.
lower
Apr 23, 2025
Introduced
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 17. Noes 0.) (April 23).
lower
Mar 13, 2025
Committee
Referred to Com. on INS.
lower
Feb 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
From printer. May be heard in committee March 24.
lower
Feb 21, 2025
Introduced
Introduced. To print.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Avelino Valencia
Avelino Valencia
DDemocratic
CA
68