CaliforniaCalifornia-licensed health plans and insurers could not deny coverage based on sex
The signed law would bar California-licensed health plans and insurers from denying enrollment, claims, or care because of protected traits such as sex or disability.
What it does
California-licensed health plans and insurers would be barred from denying enrollment or claims, canceling coverage, or raising a person’s share of costs because of protected traits. Sign-up periods and unbiased medical or coverage limits could still apply.
California-licensed health plans and insurers would be barred from denying care because of a person’s sex assigned at birth or gender identity. They could not exclude all gender-affirming care, though unbiased medical or coverage rules could still limit a specific service.
Argument forPeople covered by California-licensed plans and insurers could face fewer denials of otherwise-covered gender-affirming care based on sex assigned at birth or gender identity.
Argument againstCalifornia-licensed plans and insurers might need to review more gender-affirming care requests one by one because they could not exclude every such service.
More detail
California-licensed health plans and insurers would be barred from denying enrollment or claims, canceling coverage, or raising a person’s share of costs because of protected traits. These rules cover people seeking or using coverage from health plans and insurers licensed in California. Protected traits include race, disability, and sex. Sex discrimination also includes pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Plans and insurers could still set sign-up periods or limit a specific service for a valid medical or coverage reason that does not hide discrimination.
California-licensed health plans and insurers would be barred from denying access to care because of sex assigned at birth or gender identity and from excluding all gender-affirming care. These rules cover people seeking care through health plans and insurers licensed in California. When a plan or policy otherwise covers care related to gender transition, the company could not deny it because of sex assigned at birth, gender identity, or recorded gender. Plans and insurers could still limit a specific service for a valid medical or coverage reason that does not hide discrimination.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 30Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 903, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 30Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Aug 31Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 25In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB1876 Addis et al. By Menjivar. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 25Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 29. Noes 9.).Passed Senate
- Aug 4Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 3From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.Minor
- Jun 24From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 1.) (June 23). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Jun 23
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 4From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 7. Noes 1.) (June 3). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.Minor
- Jun 3
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]. Result: pass.Upper
- May 13Referred to Coms. on HEALTH and JUD.Minor
- May 5In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- May 4Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 56. Noes 17. Page 4914.)Passed Assembly
- Vote recorded AB 1876 Addis Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 30Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Apr 29From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 10. Noes 4.) (April 29).Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 15From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 3.) (April 14). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Apr 15Coauthors revised.
- Apr 14
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 18From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 12. Noes 4.) (March 17). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.Minor
- Mar 18Coauthors revised.
- Mar 17
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 2Referred to Coms. on HEALTH and JUD.Minor
- Feb 13From printer. May be heard in committee March 15.
- Feb 12Read first time. To print.Introduced
HealthcareCivil Rights & Voting