California bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session
California AB 1637
Physicians and surgeons: medical records.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became law
Sponsors
- Caloza (Democratic)
Summary
Official abstract published by the California legislature· summary
Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California to license and regulate the practice of medicine. A violation of the act is a crime, unless otherwise specified. Existing law makes it unprofessional conduct for a failure of a physician and surgeon to maintain adequate and accurate records relating to the provision of services to their patients for at least 7 years after the last date of service to a patient.
This bill would state that a physician and surgeon's patient notes, as defined, shall be the responsibility of that physician and surgeon. The bill would prohibit a physician and surgeon's patient notes from being altered, modified, or edited in any fashion by anyone other than the authoring physician and surgeon, except as specified. By expanding the scope of a crime under the act, 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.
Text versions
- AB1637
- 01/26/26 - Introduced· Jan 26, 2026
- 04/08/26 - Amended Assembly· Apr 8, 2026
- 08/19/26 - Enrolled· Aug 19, 2026
- 09/27/26 - Chaptered· Sep 27, 2026
Roll-call votes
State vote data last updated Oct 15, 2026, 8:04 PM.
| Date | Vote | Result | Your legislators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 17, 2026 Senate | 3rd Reading AB1637 Caloza By Archuleta | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| Jun 8, 2026 Senate | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| May 7, 2026 House | AB 1637 Caloza Assembly Third Reading | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| Apr 22, 2026 House | Do pass. | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| Apr 7, 2026 House | Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | pass | Set your home in California to see |
Actions
- Sep 27, 2026 · Legislature
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 536, Statutes of 2026. - Sep 27, 2026 · Legislature
Approved by the Governor. - Aug 24, 2026 · Legislature
Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4:30 p.m. - Aug 17, 2026 · House
In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling. - Aug 17, 2026 · Senate
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 5491.). - Jun 23, 2026 · Senate
Read second time. Ordered to third reading. - Jun 22, 2026 · Senate
From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8. - Jun 8, 2026 · Senate
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (June 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. - May 20, 2026 · Senate
Referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D. - May 7, 2026 · Senate
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. - May 7, 2026 · House
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 69. Noes 0. Page 4962.) - Apr 23, 2026 · House
Read second time. Ordered to third reading. - Apr 22, 2026 · House
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (April 22). - Apr 9, 2026 · House
Re-referred to Com. on APPR. - Apr 8, 2026 · House
Read second time and amended. - Apr 7, 2026 · House
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 19. Noes 0.) (April 7). - Feb 9, 2026 · House
Referred to Com. on B. & P. - Jan 27, 2026 · House
From printer. May be heard in committee February 26. - Jan 26, 2026 · House
Read first time. To print.