All Roll Calls
Yes: 188 • No: 15
CaliforniaSB 5302025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Medi-Cal: time and distance standards.
Sponsored By: Laura Richardson (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Closer care and timely Medi-Cal appointments
The law requires Medi-Cal plans to keep primary care and dental within 10 miles or 30 minutes. OB/GYN must be within 10 miles or 30 minutes, and hospitals within 15 miles or 30 minutes. For specialists, pharmacies, mental health, and substance use services, county rules set distances from 15/30 to 60/90. Plans must also follow state appointment wait-time standards.
Faster nursing, dental, and opioid care
Plans must find skilled nursing or intermediate care within set timeframes by county: five business days in some large counties, seven business days in some mid-size counties, and up to 14 calendar days in others. County Drug Medi-Cal systems must give an opioid treatment appointment within three business days. Medi-Cal dental plans must give routine pediatric dental visits within four weeks and specialist visits within 30 days.
Stricter standards and public input
DHCS can set stricter time or distance rules and must keep them consistent across similar areas. It must publish any stricter rules and explain why. If federal law allows, plans not licensed by the Department of Managed Health Care must follow the same access rules. By January 1, 2027, DHCS must post a workplan, start a stakeholder group, and allow 30 days for public comment before changing standards.
Stronger checks on appointment access
DHCS checks plans each year for time, distance, and appointment wait rules. For contracts starting January 1, 2029, appointment checks use secret‑shopper calls and must measure urgent care within 48 hours, counting unreachable providers. Starting January 1, 2026, plans must prove each subcontractor network meets the standards and explain how they handled care outside the rules. DHCS posts findings yearly and can require fixes or sanctions.
Telehealth options and your in-person rights
DHCS may let video visits count toward access rules, but you can choose in-person care. Your plan must help you get there, including covered rides when needed. Telehealth credit in a ZIP code applies only if the plan covers at least 85% of population points there. For contracts starting January 1, 2026, plans must tell you about telehealth, covered transportation, and out-of-network options when local providers are outside the distance rules. Plans must also show how they arranged care when members needed services outside those rules.
Alternative access when networks fall short
DHCS can approve different time and distance rules by ZIP code and provider type when a plan has tried and cannot contract enough providers or can deliver care another way. The Department decides within 90 days, can pause to get more information, and posts approvals online. For contract periods starting January 1, 2027, reviews also consider whether the plan pays providers enough. DHCS may allow telehealth as part of these alternative arrangements.
Time‑limited powers to implement federal rules
To apply the May 10, 2024 federal Medicaid access rules, DHCS can enter or amend contracts without some state procurement steps and can use letters and bulletins instead of formal regulations. These contracting exemptions end January 1, 2029. The law runs only with needed federal approvals and funding, and the section repeals January 1, 2029 unless extended.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Laura Richardson
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Akilah Weber Pierson
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 9/10/2025
Item 71 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 32 • No: 6
House vote • 9/9/2025
Item 83 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 78 • No: 1
legislature vote • 8/29/2025
Vote in CX25
Yes: 14 • No: 0
legislature vote • 7/15/2025
Vote in CX08
Yes: 15 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/29/2025
Item 199 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 28 • No: 7
legislature vote • 5/23/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 5 • No: 1
legislature vote • 4/28/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 7 • No: 0
legislature vote • 4/9/2025
Vote in CS60
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 418, Statutes of 2025.
10/6/2025SenateApproved by the Governor.
10/6/2025legislatureEnrolled and presented to the Governor at 11 a.m.
9/22/2025legislatureAssembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 32. Noes 6. Page 2838.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
9/10/2025SenateIn Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
9/9/2025SenateRead third time. Passed. (Ayes 78. Noes 1. Page 3076.) Ordered to the Senate.
9/9/2025HouseOrdered to third reading.
9/4/2025HouseRead third time and amended.
9/4/2025HouseRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
9/2/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (August 29).
8/29/2025HouseAugust 20 set for first hearing. Placed on APPR. suspense file.
8/20/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (July 15). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
7/16/2025HouseFrom committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on HEALTH.
7/9/2025HouseReferred to Com. on HEALTH.
6/5/2025HouseIn Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
5/29/2025HouseRead third time. Passed. (Ayes 28. Noes 7. Page 1319.) Ordered to the Assembly.
5/29/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
5/27/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 1. Page 1203.) (May 23).
5/23/2025SenateRead second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
5/23/2025SenateSet for hearing May 23.
5/16/2025SenateApril 28 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
4/28/2025SenateSet for hearing April 28.
4/17/2025SenateRead second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
4/10/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0. Page 737.) (April 9).
4/10/2025SenateSet for hearing April 9.
3/26/2025Senate
Bill Text
Chaptered
10/6/2025
Enrolled
9/13/2025
Amended Assembly
9/4/2025
Amended Assembly
7/9/2025
Amended Senate
5/23/2025
Amended Senate
4/10/2025
Amended Senate
3/25/2025
Introduced
2/20/2025