All Roll Calls
Yes: 224 • No: 0
CaliforniaAB 5942025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Student health insurance.
Sponsored By: José Luis Solache (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Easier waivers and refunds for students
You do not have to buy the school plan if you already have minimum essential coverage under California rules. Beginning July 1, 2026, if you keep that coverage and ask for a waiver, the school must grant it and cannot charge you the student plan fee or premium. Also starting July 1, 2026, if you graduate, take a leave, or stop enrollment, you can ask to end coverage with at least 30 days’ notice. The school must end it that month if possible, or by the last day of the month when the 30‑day period ends. You only owe premiums up to the end date, and you get a pro rata refund if you paid for a full term.
Stronger protections in student health plans
Beginning January 1, 2024, qualifying college student plans are treated like individual health coverage for many rules. The law requires essential health benefits, an annual out‑of‑pocket cap, and no annual or lifetime dollar limits. Plans must have at least 60% actuarial value and disclose it. Coverage is tied to being enrolled, not to health status. The law also makes clear that students are the insured and, for some rules, are treated as the policyholder, and it applies certain existing California insurance rules to these plans.
Clear notices on coverage and premiums
Your school must include a bold 14‑point notice in enrollment materials, or online, saying Californians must have health coverage and pointing to Medi‑Cal, Covered California, dependent coverage, and the individual market. If the insurer tells the school a premium will change, the school must tell student certificate holders the actual premium change. These rules help you see real costs and options.
State enforcement and insurer fines
The Insurance Commissioner enforces these student health rules. The Commissioner can fine insurers up to $5,000 per violation, or up to $10,000 for willful violations. Insurers can request a formal hearing.
Premiums locked, but renewals limited
Student plan premiums cannot change during the policy year. But student plans do not have to follow some open‑enrollment and guaranteed‑renewal rules. They do not have to accept non‑students or dependents, and they do not have to renew coverage after you stop being a student or dependent. Any limits still cannot be based on health status.
Risk pools and rate review for students
Insurers may group students into separate risk pools by school or program, not by health factors like medical history or disability. Rates must reflect each pool’s claims and be actuarially justified. Student plans follow large‑group style rate review; the Insurance Department can flag unreasonable rates and block changes if deadlines are missed. The law defines banned “health factors” to prevent sorting by health.
Student health clinic fee rules
Colleges can charge a regular student administrative health fee to support campus clinics, even if you do not use the clinic or buy student insurance. This fee is not counted as cost‑sharing for certain recommended preventive services. The law does not set the fee amount.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
José Luis Solache
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Mia Bonta
Democratic • House
Susan Rubio
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 8/25/2025
Item 7 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 76 • No: 0
Senate vote • 7/17/2025
Item 214 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 35 • No: 0
legislature vote • 6/18/2025
Vote in CS60
Yes: 10 • No: 0
House vote • 5/8/2025
Item 78 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 73 • 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 272, Statutes of 2025.
10/3/2025SenateApproved by the Governor.
10/3/2025legislatureEnrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
9/2/2025legislatureSenate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 76. Noes 0. Page 2725.).
8/25/2025HouseIn Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
7/17/2025HouseRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 35. Noes 0. Page 2137.).
7/17/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.
7/15/2025SenateFrom committee: Be ordered to second reading file pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to Consent Calendar.
7/14/2025SenateFrom committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on APPR.
7/7/2025SenateRe-referred to Com. on APPR.
6/26/2025SenateWithdrawn from committee.
6/26/2025SenateFrom committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on JUD.
6/25/2025SenateIn committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
6/24/2025SenateRead second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
6/23/2025SenateFrom committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on JUD. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (June 18).
6/19/2025SenateFrom committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on HEALTH.
6/9/2025SenateReferred to Coms. on HEALTH and JUD.
5/21/2025SenateIn Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
5/8/2025SenateRead third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 73. Noes 0. Page 1477.)
5/8/2025HouseRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
4/24/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 23).
4/23/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
4/9/2025HouseCoauthors revised.
4/9/2025HouseRe-referred to Com. on HEALTH.
3/28/2025HouseFrom committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HEALTH. Read second time and amended.
3/27/2025House
Bill Text
Chaptered
10/3/2025
Enrolled
8/27/2025
Amended Senate
7/7/2025
Amended Senate
6/25/2025
Amended Senate
6/23/2025
Amended Senate
6/9/2025
Amended Assembly
3/27/2025
Amended Assembly
3/13/2025
Introduced
2/12/2025