This measure would, among other things, recognize antimicrobial resistance as a public health crisis requiring urgent and sustained action and urge specified state agencies to explore available funding mechanisms to support research and development initiatives addressing antimicrobial resistance, particularly in underserved and high-risk communities.
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.
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.
The Personal Income Tax Law allows various credits against the tax imposed by that law. This bill, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, and before January 1, 2031, would allow a credit against those taxes in an amount equal to 50% of unreimbursed costs paid or incurred by a taxpayer for the purchase of durable medical equipment, as defined, for use by a qualifying dependent, as defined, during the taxable year. The bill would limit the credit to $5,000 per taxable year for each qualifying dependent. Existing law requires any bill authorizing a new tax expenditure to contain, among other things, specific goals that the tax expenditure will achieve, detailed performance indicators, and data collection requirements. This bill also would include additional information required for any bill authorizing a new tax expenditure. This bill would take effect immediately as a tax levy.
Existing law establishes the State Department of Public Health to implement various programs throughout the state relating to public health. The department administers the California Wastewater Surveillance Dashboard that provides an overview of data from testing wastewater for SARS-CoV-2 virus in California. The data in the dashboard is generated by those participating in the department's California Surveillance of Wastewaters (Cal-SuWers) network, including the Cal-SuWers program, WastewaterSCAN, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Wastewater Surveillance System, wastewater utilities, and academic, laboratory, and other state and federal partners. This bill would require the department, in consultation with participating wastewater treatment facilities, local health departments, and other subject matter experts, to maintain the Cal-SuWers network to test, as appropriate for public health use, for pathogens, toxins, or other public health indicators in wastewater. The bill would require participation in the Cal-SuWers network from local health departments and wastewater treatment facilities to be voluntary. The bill would authorize the department to coordinate with health care providers, local health departments, and emergency response agencies to ensure wastewater surveillance data is used for early intervention, outbreak response, epidemiological investigations, and public health planning. The bill would authorize the department to communicate to the general public, through a publicly accessible internet website, as specified, to provide transparency and public awareness of wastewater-based disease monitoring. The bill would authorize the department to utilize external funding sources, in addition to the department's existing, noncontinuously appropriated funding sources, to implement these provisions. The bill would make related findings and declarations.
This measure would urge the United States Congress and the President of the United States to immediately restore and extend the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits.
