All Roll Calls
Yes: 246 • No: 0
CaliforniaAB 552025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Alternative birth centers: licensing and Medi-Cal reimbursement.
Sponsored By: Mia Bonta (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Safer transfers and staffing at birth centers
Birth centers must keep a written, board‑approved plan for hospital transfers. It covers referrals to a physician, preregistration at a hospital with obstetric emergency services, and how records and hand‑offs happen. You must be told the expected transfer time and the emergency plan, and you sign this form. At a transfer, your midwife or nurse‑midwife shares your records with the receiving team. At every birth, at least two attendants are present, and one is a doctor, licensed midwife, or certified nurse‑midwife.
Medi-Cal payments for birth centers
Only centers that meet the birth‑center standards can get Medi‑Cal payment; care may be provided by licensed midwives or nurse‑midwives. Medi‑Cal pays a single facility fee per delivery, capped at 80% of the average hospital payment and never more than the center’s non‑Medi‑Cal charge. Starting no earlier than July 1, 2017, the state uses average DRG Level 1 hospital rates to set this cap, after federal approval. Beginning July 1, 2022 (or later if federal timing requires), these centers are exempt from certain payment cuts. These payment rules take effect only when federal approvals and matching funds are in place, and the Department may update rules by bulletin or policy letter.
Higher care standards at birth centers
Birth centers must give full perinatal care, including mental health checks, nutrition help, breastfeeding help, and classes on childbirth and parenting. They must keep an active quality program to monitor care. Centers must meet American Association of Birth Centers standards or a state‑approved equal. Parents get a written summary of child car seat laws, local car‑seat programs, and the risks of not using restraints.
Permits and truthful naming for birth centers
The state issues a permit to a licensed primary care clinic that meets the birth‑center rules, so it can offer birth‑center services. A clinic or office cannot call itself a state‑licensed birth center unless it meets those rules. Doctors and midwives may still offer birth care within their professional licenses.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Mia Bonta
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Mike McGuire
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 9/9/2025
Item 203 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 80 • No: 0
Senate vote • 9/8/2025
Item 361 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 39 • No: 0
legislature vote • 8/29/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 7 • No: 0
legislature vote • 6/30/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 6 • No: 0
legislature vote • 6/11/2025
Vote in CS60
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 4/28/2025
Item 74 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 75 • No: 0
legislature vote • 4/23/2025
Vote in CX25
Yes: 15 • No: 0
legislature vote • 4/8/2025
Vote in CX08
Yes: 15 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 595, Statutes of 2025.
10/11/2025SenateApproved by the Governor.
10/11/2025legislatureEnrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
9/16/2025legislatureSenate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 80. Noes 0. Page 3099.).
9/9/2025HouseIn Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
9/8/2025HouseRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 2602.).
9/8/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
9/3/2025SenateRead third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
9/2/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
8/29/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).
8/29/2025SenateIn committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
6/30/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (June 11). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
6/12/2025SenateFrom committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on HEALTH.
5/29/2025SenateReferred to Com. on HEALTH.
5/7/2025SenateIn Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
4/29/2025SenateRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 75. Noes 0. Page 1317.)
4/28/2025HouseRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
4/24/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 23).
4/23/2025HouseRe-referred to Com. on APPR.
4/21/2025HouseRead second time and amended.
4/10/2025HouseFrom committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 8).
4/9/2025HouseRe-referred to Com. on HEALTH.
2/26/2025HouseFrom committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HEALTH. Read second time and amended.
2/25/2025HouseReferred to Com. on HEALTH.
2/3/2025HouseFrom printer. May be heard in committee January 2.
12/3/2024House
Bill Text
Chaptered
10/11/2025
Enrolled
9/11/2025
Amended Senate
9/2/2025
Amended Senate
5/29/2025
Amended Assembly
4/10/2025
Amended Assembly
2/25/2025
Introduced
12/2/2024