California 20252026 Regular Session Status: To Executive 1 D cosponsors

AB 539 — Health care coverage: prior authorizations.

Last action — Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Assembly
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 11, 2025. It awaits signature.

Next likely step: the executive signs it into law or issues a veto.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 64% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Moderate

How often bills like it became law.

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 9 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

The bill requires prior authorizations for health care services to remain valid for at least one year.

This legislation mandates that approved prior authorizations for health care services from in-network providers stay valid for at least one year. It also states that any violation of this requirement would be considered a crime, affecting health care service plans.

What this means for you
  • Consumers: Patients may benefit from reduced delays in receiving approved treatments, knowing their authorizations are protected for a longer period.
  • Healthcare: Health care providers will enjoy greater security in the approvals they receive, with authorizations lasting longer.

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 a crime. Existing law provides for the regulation of health insurers by the Department of Insurance. Existing law provides that a health care service plan or a health insurer that authorizes a specific type of treatment by a health care provider shall not rescind or modify this authorization after the provider renders the health care service in good faith and pursuant to the authorization. This bill would require an approved prior authorization for a health care service requested by an in-network provider to remain valid for at least one year from the date of approval, or the period requested by the treating provider if less than one year. Because a violation of the bill 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.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.

  2. Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 64. Noes 4.).

  3. In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.

  4. Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 31. Noes 0.).

  5. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  6. Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.

  7. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  8. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (August 13).

  9. In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.

  10. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  11. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (July 1).

  12. In committee: Set, second hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

  13. In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

  14. Referred to Com. on HEALTH.

  15. In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

  16. Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 64. Noes 2. Page 1518.)

  17. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  18. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (May 7).

  19. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  20. Read second time and amended.

  21. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 22).

  22. Referred to Com. on HEALTH.

  23. From printer. May be heard in committee March 14.

  24. Read first time. To print.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 121 not signed on · 5 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (121)

121 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 121 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Passed 64 Yea · 4 Nay · 11 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 44010
Democratic 54000
Unaffiliated 6001
Total 644011
% of votes cast 81%5%0%14%
How each member voted (79)
Member Party Vote
Patterson — Not Voting
Ávila Farías — Yea
Rivas — Yea
Carrillo — Yea
Fong — Yea
Garcia — Yea
Lowenthal — Yea
Addis, Dawn Democratic Yea
Aguiar-Curry, Cecilia M. Democratic Yea
Ahrens, Patrick Democratic Yea
Alvarez, David Democratic Yea
Arambula, Joaquin Democratic Yea
Bains, Jasmeet Democratic Yea
Bauer-Kahan, Rebecca Democratic Yea
Bennett, Steve Democratic Yea
Berman, Marc Democratic Yea
Boerner, Tasha Democratic Yea
Bonta, Mia Democratic Yea
Bryan, Isaac G. Democratic Yea
Calderon, Lisa Democratic Yea
Caloza, Jessica Democratic Yea
Connolly, Damon Democratic Yea
Elhawary, Sade Democratic Yea
Gabriel, Jesse Democratic Yea
Gipson, Mike A. Democratic Yea
González, Mark Democratic Yea
Haney, Matt Democratic Yea
Harabedian, John Democratic Yea
Hart, Gregg Democratic Yea
Irwin, Jacqui Democratic Yea
Jackson, Corey A. Democratic Yea
Kalra, Ash Democratic Yea
Krell, Maggy Democratic Yea
Lee, Alex Democratic Yea
McKinnor, Tina Democratic Yea
Muratsuchi, Al Democratic Yea
Nguyen, Stephanie Democratic Yea
Ortega, Liz Democratic Yea
Pacheco, Blanca Democratic Yea
Papan, Diane Democratic Yea
Patel, Darshana R. Democratic Yea
Pellerin, Gail Democratic Yea
Petrie-Norris, Cottie Democratic Yea
Quirk-Silva, Sharon Democratic Yea
Ramos, James C. Democratic Yea
Ransom, Rhodesia Democratic Yea
Rodriguez, Celeste Democratic Yea
Rodriguez, Michelle Democratic Yea
Rogers, Chris Democratic Yea
Rubio, Blanca E. Democratic Yea
Schiavo, Pilar Democratic Yea
Schultz, Nick Democratic Yea
Sharp-Collins, LaShae Democratic Yea
Solache, Jr., José Luis Democratic Yea
Soria, Esmeralda Democratic Yea
Stefani, Catherine Democratic Yea
Valencia, Avelino Democratic Yea
Ward, Christopher M. Democratic Yea
Wicks, Buffy Democratic Yea
Wilson, Lori D. Democratic Yea
Zbur, Rick Chavez Democratic Yea
Alanis, Juan Republican Yea
Castillo, Leticia Republican Not Voting
Chen, Phillip Republican Not Voting
Davies, Laurie Republican Yea
DeMaio, Carl Republican Nay
Dixon, Diane Republican Not Voting
Ellis, Stan Republican Not Voting
Flora, Heath Republican Not Voting
Gonzalez, Jeff Republican Yea
Hadwick, Heather Republican Not Voting
Hoover, Josh Republican Not Voting
Johnson, Natasha Republican Nay
Lackey, Tom Republican Not Voting
Macedo, Alexandra Republican Nay
Sanchez, Kate Republican Not Voting
Ta, Tri Republican Not Voting
Tangipa, David J. Republican Nay
Wallis, Greg Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Passed 32 Yea · 1 Nay · 7 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 5001
Republican 2106
Democratic 25000
Total 32107
% of votes cast 80%3%0%18%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Rubio — Yea
Weber Pierson — Yea
Allen — Yea
Gonzalez — Yea
Ochoa Bogh — Not Voting
Pérez — Yea
Archuleta, Bob Democratic Yea
Arreguín, Jesse Democratic Yea
Ashby, Angelique V. Democratic Yea
Becker, Josh Democratic Yea
Blakespear, Catherine S. Democratic Yea
Cabaldon, Christopher Democratic Yea
Caballero, Anna M. Democratic Yea
Cervantes, Sabrina Democratic Yea
Cortese, Dave Democratic Yea
Durazo, Maria Elena Democratic Yea
Grayson, Timothy S. Democratic Yea
Hurtado, Melissa Democratic Yea
Laird, John Democratic Yea
Limón, Monique Democratic Yea
McGuire, Mike Democratic Yea
McNerney, Jerry Democratic Yea
Menjivar, Caroline Democratic Yea
Padilla, Stephen C. Democratic Yea
Reyes, Eloise Gómez Democratic Yea
Richardson, Laura Democratic Yea
Smallwood-Cuevas, Lola Democratic Yea
Stern, Henry I. Democratic Yea
Umberg, Thomas J. Democratic Yea
Wahab, Aisha Democratic Yea
Wiener, Scott D. Democratic Yea
Alvarado-Gil, Marie Republican Yea
Choi, Steven S. Republican Not Voting
Dahle, Megan Republican Yea
Grove, Shannon Republican Not Voting
Jones, Brian W. Republican Nay
Niello, Roger W. Republican Not Voting
Seyarto, Kelly Republican Not Voting
Strickland, Tony Republican Not Voting
Valladares, Suzette Martinez Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Passed 32 Yea · 1 Nay · 7 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 30000
Republican 2107
Total 32107
% of votes cast 80%3%0%18%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Allen, Benjamin Democratic Yea
Archuleta, Bob Democratic Yea
Arreguín, Jesse Democratic Yea
Ashby, Angelique V. Democratic Yea
Becker, Josh Democratic Yea
Blakespear, Catherine S. Democratic Yea
Cabaldon, Christopher Democratic Yea
Caballero, Anna M. Democratic Yea
Cervantes, Sabrina Democratic Yea
Cortese, Dave Democratic Yea
Durazo, Maria Elena Democratic Yea
Gonzalez, Lena A. Democratic Yea
Grayson, Timothy S. Democratic Yea
Hurtado, Melissa Democratic Yea
Laird, John Democratic Yea
Limón, Monique Democratic Yea
McGuire, Mike Democratic Yea
McNerney, Jerry Democratic Yea
Menjivar, Caroline Democratic Yea
Padilla, Stephen C. Democratic Yea
Pérez, Sasha Renée Democratic Yea
Reyes, Eloise Gómez Democratic Yea
Richardson, Laura Democratic Yea
Rubio, Susan Democratic Yea
Smallwood-Cuevas, Lola Democratic Yea
Stern, Henry I. Democratic Yea
Umberg, Thomas J. Democratic Yea
Wahab, Aisha Democratic Yea
Weber Pierson, M.D., Akilah Democratic Yea
Wiener, Scott D. Democratic Yea
Alvarado-Gil, Marie Republican Yea
Choi, Steven S. Republican Not Voting
Dahle, Megan Republican Yea
Grove, Shannon Republican Not Voting
Jones, Brian W. Republican Nay
Niello, Roger W. Republican Not Voting
Ochoa Bogh, Rosilicie Republican Not Voting
Seyarto, Kelly Republican Not Voting
Strickland, Tony Republican Not Voting
Valladares, Suzette Martinez Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Passed 8 Yea · 0 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 2001
Republican 0002
Democratic 6000
Total 8003
% of votes cast 73%0%0%27%
How each member voted (11)
Member Party Vote
Weber Pierson — Yea
Gonzalez — Yea
Rubio — Not Voting
Caballero, Anna M. Democratic Yea
Durazo, Maria Elena Democratic Yea
Menjivar, Caroline Democratic Yea
Padilla, Stephen C. Democratic Yea
Pérez, Sasha Renée Democratic Yea
Smallwood-Cuevas, Lola Democratic Yea
Grove, Shannon Republican Not Voting
Valladares, Suzette Martinez Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Passed 64 Yea · 2 Nay · 13 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 58001
Republican 52012
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 642013
% of votes cast 81%3%0%16%
How each member voted (79)
Member Party Vote
Ávila Farías — Yea
Addis, Dawn Democratic Yea
Aguiar-Curry, Cecilia M. Democratic Yea
Ahrens, Patrick Democratic Yea
Alvarez, David Democratic Yea
Arambula, Joaquin Democratic Yea
Bains, Jasmeet Democratic Yea
Bauer-Kahan, Rebecca Democratic Yea
Bennett, Steve Democratic Yea
Berman, Marc Democratic Yea
Boerner, Tasha Democratic Yea
Bonta, Mia Democratic Yea
Bryan, Isaac G. Democratic Yea
Calderon, Lisa Democratic Yea
Caloza, Jessica Democratic Yea
Carrillo, Juan Democratic Yea
Connolly, Damon Democratic Yea
Elhawary, Sade Democratic Yea
Fong, Mike Democratic Yea
Gabriel, Jesse Democratic Yea
Garcia, Robert Democratic Yea
Gipson, Mike A. Democratic Yea
González, Mark Democratic Yea
Haney, Matt Democratic Yea
Harabedian, John Democratic Yea
Hart, Gregg Democratic Yea
Irwin, Jacqui Democratic Yea
Jackson, Corey A. Democratic Yea
Kalra, Ash Democratic Yea
Krell, Maggy Democratic Yea
Lee, Alex Democratic Yea
Lowenthal, Josh Democratic Yea
McKinnor, Tina Democratic Yea
Muratsuchi, Al Democratic Yea
Nguyen, Stephanie Democratic Yea
Ortega, Liz Democratic Yea
Pacheco, Blanca Democratic Yea
Papan, Diane Democratic Yea
Patel, Darshana R. Democratic Yea
Pellerin, Gail Democratic Yea
Petrie-Norris, Cottie Democratic Yea
Quirk-Silva, Sharon Democratic Yea
Ramos, James C. Democratic Yea
Ransom, Rhodesia Democratic Yea
Rivas, Robert Democratic Yea
Rodriguez, Celeste Democratic Yea
Rodriguez, Michelle Democratic Yea
Rogers, Chris Democratic Yea
Rubio, Blanca E. Democratic Yea
Schiavo, Pilar Democratic Yea
Schultz, Nick Democratic Yea
Sharp-Collins, LaShae Democratic Yea
Solache, Jr., José Luis Democratic Yea
Soria, Esmeralda Democratic Yea
Stefani, Catherine Democratic Not Voting
Valencia, Avelino Democratic Yea
Ward, Christopher M. Democratic Yea
Wicks, Buffy Democratic Yea
Wilson, Lori D. Democratic Yea
Zbur, Rick Chavez Democratic Yea
Alanis, Juan Republican Yea
Castillo, Leticia Republican Not Voting
Chen, Phillip Republican Yea
Davies, Laurie Republican Yea
DeMaio, Carl Republican Nay
Dixon, Diane Republican Not Voting
Ellis, Stan Republican Not Voting
Flora, Heath Republican Not Voting
Gallagher, James Republican Not Voting
Gonzalez, Jeff Republican Yea
Hadwick, Heather Republican Not Voting
Hoover, Josh Republican Not Voting
Lackey, Tom Republican Not Voting
Macedo, Alexandra Republican Not Voting
Patterson, Joe Republican Not Voting
Sanchez, Kate Republican Not Voting
Ta, Tri Republican Not Voting
Tangipa, David J. Republican Nay
Wallis, Greg Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Do pass.

Passed 11 Yea · 0 Nay · 4 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 11000
Republican 0004
Total 11004
% of votes cast 73%0%0%27%
How each member voted (15)
Member Party Vote
Arambula, Joaquin Democratic Yea
Calderon, Lisa Democratic Yea
Caloza, Jessica Democratic Yea
Elhawary, Sade Democratic Yea
Fong, Mike Democratic Yea
González, Mark Democratic Yea
Hart, Gregg Democratic Yea
Pacheco, Blanca Democratic Yea
Pellerin, Gail Democratic Yea
Solache, Jr., José Luis Democratic Yea
Wicks, Buffy Democratic Yea
Dixon, Diane Republican Not Voting
Sanchez, Kate Republican Not Voting
Ta, Tri Republican Not Voting
Tangipa, David J. Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Passed 12 Yea · 0 Nay · 4 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 12000
Republican 0004
Total 12004
% of votes cast 75%0%0%25%
How each member voted (16)
Member Party Vote
Addis, Dawn Democratic Yea
Aguiar-Curry, Cecilia M. Democratic Yea
Bonta, Mia Democratic Yea
Carrillo, Juan Democratic Yea
González, Mark Democratic Yea
Krell, Maggy Democratic Yea
Patel, Darshana R. Democratic Yea
Rodriguez, Celeste Democratic Yea
Rogers, Chris Democratic Yea
Schiavo, Pilar Democratic Yea
Sharp-Collins, LaShae Democratic Yea
Stefani, Catherine Democratic Yea
Chen, Phillip Republican Not Voting
Flora, Heath Republican Not Voting
Patterson, Joe Republican Not Voting
Sanchez, Kate Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

What does AB 539 do?
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 a crime. Existing law provides for the regulation of health insurers by the Department of Insurance. Existing law provides that a health care service plan or a health insurer that authorizes a specific type of treatment by a health care provider shall not rescind or modify this authorization after the provider renders the health care service in good faith and pursuant to the authorization. This bill would require an approved prior authorization for a health care service requested by an in-network provider to remain valid for at least one year from the date of approval, or the period requested by the treating provider if less than one year. Because a violation of the bill 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.
Who sponsors AB 539?
AB 539 is sponsored by Schiavo, Pilar (Democratic).
What is the current status of AB 539?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 11, 2025. It awaits signature.
Where can I track AB 539?
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