Press Release

Weber Pierson’s Transformative Legislative Package Advances to Assembly Floor

SACRAMENTO – State Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D. (D-San Diego) celebrated a major milestone as a slate of groundbreaking bills advanced out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee and moved to the Assembly Floor for a vote. Together, these bills reflect Senator Weber Pierson’s commitment to public health, reproductive justice, racial equity, and community wellbeing.

“As a physician, mother, and legislator, I am guided by the belief that every Californian deserves equitable access to quality care, safe products, and meaningful justice,” said Senator Weber Pierson, M.D. “These bills bring us one step closer to a future where the health and dignity of all communities, especially the underserved, are respected and protected.”

The legislative package includes:

  • SB 236 – CURL Act 
    Bans toxic chemicals in hair relaxer products linked to cancer and reproductive harm—products disproportionately marketed to Black women and girls.
  • SB 437 – California State University: Genealogical Claim Eligibility
    Requires CSU to establish a process to verify genealogical eligibility for reparative claims, supporting access to reparations for descendants of enslaved people.
  • SB 439 – California Health Benefit Review Program Extension
    Extends the sunset date on the California Health Benefits Review Program (CHBRP) to July 1, 2033 and provides a funding increase to $3.2 million.
  • SB 503 – Health Care Services: Artificial Intelligence Bias Monitoring
    Ensures that AI used in healthcare is monitored for racial, gender, and other demographic biases, promoting equitable outcomes in clinical decision-making and the allocation of healthcare resources.
  • SB 518 – Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery
    Establishes a dedicated state agency to oversee implementation of reparative justice policies and ensure follow-through on recommendations from the California Reparations Task Force.
  • SB 646 – Prenatal Vitamins: Heavy Metals Testing
    Requires public disclosure and testing of prenatal vitamins for heavy metals, ensuring safer prenatal health for expectant mothers and babies.

All six bills are now on the Assembly Floor awaiting a vote, bringing them one step closer to the Governor’s desk and to becoming California law.

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 Pierson, 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.