Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D. Advances Key Health and Equity Bills, Expresses Disappointment Over Delay of Reproductive Health Funding Legislation
SACRAMENTO, CA — Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D. (D-San Diego), announced today that several of her priority bills have successfully passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee and will advance to the Senate floor for a vote. However, she also expressed deep disappointment that one of her key bills, SB 528, was held in committee. SB 528 was a critical bill designed to ensure continued access to reproductive health services, including contraception, cancer screenings, and STI testing, for low-income Californians affected by federal funding cuts.
“These bills represent significant strides toward health equity, social justice, and the well-being of all Californians,” said State Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D. “However, I am deeply concerned that SB 528, which would have safeguarded essential reproductive health services for low-income individuals, women and children, was not allowed to advance. In a time when reproductive rights are under attack, California must do all it can to ensure access to comprehensive care. Reproductive healthcare is essential, and clinics across California rely on consistent funding to provide these critical services. As a practicing OB/GYN, I understand that delaying the implementation of SB 528 only jeopardizes access to care for many Californians.”
The bills advancing to the Senate floor include:
SB 32 - Labor and Delivery Time and Distance Standards: This bill mandates that the Department of Health Care Services, Department of Managed Health Care, and Department of Insurance develop and adopt, by July 1, 2027, time or distance accessibility standards for hospitals with perinatal units. These standards aim to ensure timely access to labor and delivery services, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
SB 236 – CURL Act: Prohibits the use of toxic chemicals in hair relaxer products that have been linked to cancer and reproductive harm.
SB 437 - California State University: Claim Eligibility – Genealogy and Descendancy: Tasks the California State University system to establish a process for verifying genealogical eligibility for reparative claims, facilitating access to potential reparations for descendants of enslaved individuals.
SB 439 - California Health Benefit Review Program: Extends the California Health Benefit Review Program, which assesses the medical, financial, and public health impacts of proposed health insurance benefit mandates and repeals.
SB 452 - Child Welfare Services: Prevention Legal Services: Establishes the Family Advocacy Pilot Program to provide grants to qualified organizations offering preventive legal services aimed at reducing the need for child welfare interventions.
SB 503 - Health Care Services: Artificial Intelligence: Requires developers of AI models or systems used in healthcare settings to test for biased impacts in outputs, ensuring equitable treatment across diverse patient populations.
SB 518 –Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery: Establishes the Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery, a state agency dedicated to implementing policies that address the historical injustices faced by Californians who are descendants of enslaved people. The Bureau will oversee reparative justice efforts, facilitate restitution programs, and ensure the state follows through on key recommendations from the California Reparations Task Force.
SB 646 - Prenatal Vitamins: Heavy Metals Testing: Mandates that manufacturers of prenatal vitamins test for and publicly disclose levels of potentially harmful heavy metals in their products, ensuring safer prenatal care.
SB 764 - Chain Restaurants: Children’s Meals: Requires chain restaurants to offer at least one children’s meal that meets specified nutritional standards, promoting healthier options for children.
Floor votes on the bills are expected in the coming days.
For more information about these bills or to request an interview, please contact Albert Parnell at Albert.Parnell@sen.ca.gov or 916-651-4039
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Senator Akilah Weber, M.D. represents California's 39th Senate District, which includes portions of San Diego County, the cities of Coronado, El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove, as well as portions of the City of San Diego.