California bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session
California SB 535
Obesity Care Access Act.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became law
Sponsors
- Richardson (Democratic)
Summary
Official abstract published by the California legislature· summary
Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, provides for the licensure and regulation of health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care and makes a willful violation of the act's requirements a crime. Existing law sets forth specified coverage requirements for plan contracts.
This bill, the Obesity Care Access Act, would require an individual or group health care service plan contract or health insurance policy that provides coverage for outpatient prescription drug benefits and is issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, to include coverage for bariatric surgery and at least one antiobesity medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Because a willful violation of these provisions by a health care service plan would be 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.
Text versions
- 07/17/25 - Amended Assembly· Jul 17, 2025
- 02/20/25 - Introduced· Feb 20, 2025
- SB535
Roll-call votes
State vote data last updated Oct 15, 2026, 8:04 PM.
| Date | Vote | Result | Your legislators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 15, 2025 House | Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| May 28, 2025 Senate | 3rd Reading | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| May 23, 2025 Senate | Do pass | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| May 12, 2025 Senate | Placed on suspense file | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| Apr 30, 2025 Senate | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | pass | Set your home in California to see |
Actions
- Aug 13, 2026 · House
August 13 hearing: Held in committee and under submission. - Aug 29, 2025 · House
August 29 hearing postponed by committee. - Aug 20, 2025 · House
August 20 set for first hearing. Placed on APPR. suspense file. - Jul 17, 2025 · House
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR. - Jul 16, 2025 · House
From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (July 15). - Jun 5, 2025 · House
Referred to Com. on HEALTH. - May 28, 2025 · House
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk. - May 28, 2025 · Senate
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 28. Noes 3. Page 1302.) Ordered to the Assembly. - May 23, 2025 · Senate
Read second time. Ordered to third reading. - May 23, 2025 · Senate
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 0. Page 1203.) (May 23). - May 16, 2025 · Senate
Set for hearing May 23. - May 12, 2025 · Senate
May 12 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file. - May 2, 2025 · Senate
Set for hearing May 12. - May 1, 2025 · Senate
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0. Page 965.) (April 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. - Apr 4, 2025 · Senate
Set for hearing April 30. - Mar 5, 2025 · Senate
Referred to Com. on HEALTH. - Feb 21, 2025 · Senate
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23. - Feb 20, 2025 · Senate
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.