California 20252026 Regular Session Status: To Executive 2 D cosponsors

SB 944 — Medi-Cal: acupuncture.

Last action — In Senate. Consideration of Governor's veto pending.

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

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 02, 2026. It awaits signature.

Vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom (Democratic) on September 30, 2026.

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

Odds of enactment

Moderate chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · moderate confidence

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 13 sponsors

    1 primary, 12 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 8 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

The bill relates to acupuncture services under Medi-Cal.

This legislation addresses the provision of acupuncture within the Medi-Cal healthcare program. It aims to include or adjust how these services are accessed through the program.

What this means for you
  • Consumers: Consumers enrolled in Medi-Cal could benefit from more accessible acupuncture services.
  • Healthcare: This bill may lead to expanded acupuncture services for Medi-Cal patients, improving treatment options.

Summary

Medi-Cal: acupuncture.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

1 added · 1 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest version of Bill SB 944 has included new language to clarify its provisions, while a section that may have been redundant or unclear has been removed. These updates help streamline the bill, making it easier to understand and implement. This matters because clearer legislation can lead to better enforcement and compliance, ultimately benefiting those the bill aims to serve.

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Latest
20250SB__094497AMD 97 INTRODUCED 2026-02-02 AMENDED_ASSEMBLY 2026-08-13 AMENDED_ASSEMBLY 2026-08-20 2025 0 SB 944 AMD Introduced by Senator Wiener (Coauthor:
20250SB__094496ENR 96 INTRODUCED 2026-02-02 AMENDED_ASSEMBLY 2026-08-13 AMENDED_ASSEMBLY 2026-08-20 PASSED_ASSEMBLY 2026-08-25 PASSED_SENATE 2026-08-28 ENROLLED 2026-08-31 2025 0 SB 944 ENR Introduced by Senator Wiener (Coauthor:
(2)<xhtml:span class="EnSpace"/>Commencing on January 1, 2027, acupuncture, subject to utilization controls and to an appropriation made by the Legislature for this purpose, and regardless of whether federal financial participation is available.</xhtml:p>"?> (2) (A) Acupuncture is a covered benefit, subject to utilization controls and the availability of federal financial participation.
(2) (A) Acupuncture is a covered benefit, subject to utilization controls and the availability of federal financial participation.
Physician,</xhtml:p>"?> (1) Physician, hospital or clinic outpatient, surgical center, respiratory care, optometric, chiropractic, psychology, podiatric, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, audiology, acupuncture as described in paragraph (2), and services of persons rendering treatment by prayer or healing by spiritual means in the practice of any church or religious denomination insofar as these can be encompassed by federal participation under an approved plan, subject to utilization controls.
(1) Physician, hospital or clinic outpatient, surgical center, respiratory care, optometric, chiropractic, psychology, podiatric, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, audiology, acupuncture as described in paragraph (2), and services of persons rendering treatment by prayer or healing by spiritual means in the practice of any church or religious denomination insofar as these can be encompassed by federal participation under an approved plan, subject to utilization controls.
(2)</xhtml:p>"?> (4) All dental hygiene services provided by a registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in extended functions, and registered dental hygienist in alternative practice licensed pursuant to Sections 1753, 1917, 1918, and 1922 of the Business and Professions Code may be covered as long as they are within the scope of Denti-Cal benefits and they are necessary services provided by a registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in extended functions, or registered dental hygienist in alternative practice.
(4) All dental hygiene services provided by a registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in extended functions, and registered dental hygienist in alternative practice licensed pursuant to Sections 1753, 1917, 1918, and 1922 of the Business and Professions Code may be covered as long as they are within the scope of Denti-Cal benefits and they are necessary services provided by a registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in extended functions, or registered dental hygienist in alternative practice.
(4) (A) (i) For the purposes of this paragraph, “nonlegend ” has the same meaning as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 14105.45.
(4) (A) (i) For the purposes of this paragraph, “nonlegend” has the same meaning as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 14105.45.
(4) (A) (i) For the purposes of this paragraph, “nonlegend ” has the same meaning as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 14105.45.
(4) (A) (i) For the purposes of this paragraph, “nonlegend” has the same meaning as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 14105.45.
(2)</xhtml:p>"?> (4) All dental hygiene services provided by a registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in extended functions, and registered dental hygienist in alternative practice licensed pursuant to Sections 1753, 1917, 1918, and 1922 of the Business and Professions Code may be covered as long as they are within the scope of Denti-Cal benefits and they are necessary services provided by a registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in extended functions, or registered dental hygienist in alternative practice.
(4) All dental hygiene services provided by a registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in extended functions, and registered dental hygienist in alternative practice licensed pursuant to Sections 1753, 1917, 1918, and 1922 of the Business and Professions Code may be covered as long as they are within the scope of Denti-Cal benefits and they are necessary services provided by a registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in extended functions, or registered dental hygienist in alternative practice.
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Action History

  1. In Senate. Consideration of Governor's veto pending.

  2. Vetoed by the Governor.

  3. Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.

  4. Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.

  5. Ordered to special consent calendar.

  6. In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.

  7. Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 74. Noes 1. Page 6494.) Ordered to the Senate.

  8. Ordered to third reading.

  9. Read third time and amended.

  10. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  11. Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.

  12. From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (August 13).

  13. Assembly Rule 63 suspended.

  14. June 24 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.

  15. Coauthors revised.

  16. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (June 9). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  17. Referred to Com. on HEALTH.

  18. In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.

  19. Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 35. Noes 0. Page 4343.) Ordered to the Assembly.

  20. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  21. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 0. Page 4258.) (May 14).

  22. Set for hearing May 14.

  23. April 13 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.

  24. Set for hearing April 13.

  25. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0. Page 3689.) (March 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  26. Set for hearing March 25.

  27. Referred to Com. on HEALTH.

  28. From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 5.

  29. Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Sponsors

  • Haney · Cosponsor
  • Ahrens · Cosponsor
  • Bonta · Cosponsor
  • Caloza · Cosponsor
  • Harabedian · Cosponsor
  • Johnson · Cosponsor
  • Nguyen · Cosponsor
  • Patel · Cosponsor
  • Sharp-Collins · Cosponsor
  • Stefani · Cosponsor
  • Scott D. Wiener · Primary
  • Benjamin Allen · Cosponsor
  • Vince Fong · Cosponsor

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 12 co-sponsors · 109 not signed on · 1 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (12)

Not signed on (109)

109 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 109 →

"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

Special Consent SB944 Wiener et al.

Passed 40 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 6000
Republican 9000
Democratic 25000
Total 40000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Allen — Yea
Gonzalez — Yea
Ochoa Bogh — Yea
Pérez — Yea
Rubio — Yea
Weber Pierson — 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 Yea
Dahle, Megan Republican Yea
Grove, Shannon Republican Yea
Jones, Brian W. Republican Yea
Niello, Roger W. Republican Yea
Seyarto, Kelly Republican Yea
Strickland, Tony Republican Yea
Valladares, Suzette Martinez Republican Yea

Official roll call →

SB 944 Wiener Senate Third Reading By Fong

Passed 74 Yea · 1 Nay · 4 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 14103
Democratic 53001
Unaffiliated 7000
Total 74104
% of votes cast 94%1%0%5%
How each member voted (79)
Member Party Vote
Patterson — Yea
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 Not Voting
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 Yea
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 Yea
Gonzalez, Jeff Republican Yea
Hadwick, Heather Republican Yea
Hoover, Josh Republican Yea
Johnson, Natasha Republican Yea
Lackey, Tom Republican Yea
Macedo, Alexandra Republican Yea
Sanchez, Kate Republican Yea
Ta, Tri Republican Yea
Tangipa, David J. Republican Not Voting
Wallis, Greg Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Do pass as amended.

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
Fong, Mike Democratic Yea
González, Mark Democratic Yea
Krell, Maggy Democratic Yea
Pacheco, Blanca Democratic Yea
Pellerin, Gail Democratic Yea
Sharp-Collins, LaShae Democratic Yea
Solache, Jr., José Luis Democratic Yea
Wicks, Buffy Democratic Yea
Dixon, Diane Republican Not Voting
Hoover, Josh Republican Not Voting
Ta, Tri Republican Not Voting
Tangipa, David J. Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]

Passed 15 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 11001
Republican 4000
Total 15001
% of votes cast 94%0%0%6%
How each member voted (16)
Member Party Vote
Addis, Dawn Democratic Yea
Aguiar-Curry, Cecilia M. Democratic Yea
Ahrens, Patrick Democratic Yea
Bonta, Mia Democratic Yea
Caloza, Jessica Democratic Yea
Carrillo, Juan Democratic Yea
Elhawary, Sade Democratic Yea
Patel, Darshana R. Democratic Yea
Rodriguez, Celeste Democratic Yea
Schiavo, Pilar Democratic Not Voting
Sharp-Collins, LaShae Democratic Yea
Stefani, Catherine Democratic Yea
Chen, Phillip Republican Yea
Johnson, Natasha Republican Yea
Patterson, Joe Republican Yea
Sanchez, Kate Republican Yea

Official roll call →

3rd Reading SB944 Wiener et al.

Passed 35 Yea · 0 Nay · 5 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 29001
Republican 6004
Total 35005
% of votes cast 88%0%0%13%
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 Not Voting
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 Not Voting
Choi, Steven S. Republican Yea
Dahle, Megan Republican Yea
Grove, Shannon Republican Not Voting
Jones, Brian W. Republican Yea
Niello, Roger W. Republican Not Voting
Ochoa Bogh, Rosilicie Republican Not Voting
Seyarto, Kelly Republican Yea
Strickland, Tony Republican Yea
Valladares, Suzette Martinez Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]

Passed 9 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 9000
Republican 0002
Total 9002
% of votes cast 82%0%0%18%
How each member voted (11)
Member Party Vote
Caballero, Anna M. Democratic Yea
Durazo, Maria Elena Democratic Yea
Gonzalez, Lena A. Democratic Yea
Menjivar, Caroline Democratic Yea
Padilla, Stephen C. Democratic Yea
Pérez, Sasha Renée Democratic Yea
Rubio, Susan Democratic Yea
Smallwood-Cuevas, Lola Democratic Yea
Weber Pierson, M.D., Akilah Democratic Yea
Grove, Shannon Republican Not Voting
Valladares, Suzette Martinez Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Subjects

healthcare health-insurance
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 944 do?
Medi-Cal: acupuncture.
Who sponsors SB 944?
SB 944 is sponsored by Haney, Ahrens, Bonta, Caloza, Harabedian, Johnson, Nguyen, Patel, Sharp-Collins, Stefani, Wiener, Scott D. (Democratic), Allen, Benjamin (Democratic), and Vince Fong.
What is the current status of SB 944?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 02, 2026. It awaits signature.
Where can I track SB 944?
Track SB 944 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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