The California state legislative session for 2021 is now over, and Governor Newsom signed several bills into law that will increase teen access to sexual and reproductive health care. All of these bills will become law in 2022.
· AB 1184 Confidentiality: This law was authored by Assemblymember David Chiu to update the Confidential Health Information Act. What teens need to know: If you have health insurance through a parent or guardian, health plans will be prohibited from disclosing information about sensitive health care services you received, like getting birth control or an STI test. The law will take effect on July 1, 2022.
· SB 306 – STI Testing + Treatment was authored by Assemblymember Dr. Richard Pan and sponsored by Essential Access Health to expand access to STI testing and treatment. What teens need to know: If you have private health insurance or are enrolled in Medi-Cal, as of January 1, 2022, your provider may be able to send you an STI at-home test kit. The law also makes it easier to get STI treatment for your partner(s) if they are not able to go to a clinic.
· AB 367 – Menstrual Equity for All Act: Assemblymember Cristina Garcia authored this law to expand access to menstrual products for students throughout California. What teens need to know: Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, all public schools serving students in grades 6 to 12, communities colleges, and California State Universities will be required to stock restrooms with free menstrual products.
· AB 453 Condom Stealthing: This law was also authored by Assemblymember Garcia to outlaw nonconsensual removal of a condom. What teens need to know: Beginning January 1, 2022, a sexual partner that intentionally and secretly removes a condom during sexual activity can be sued in civil court. Learn more about the new anti-stealthing law in our blog.
· AB 14/SB 4 was introduced by Senator Aguiar-Curry and Assemblymember Gonzalez to increase access to high-speed internet across the state. What teens need to know: Many low-income and communities of color don’t have high-speed internet available – this is known as the digital divide. These two laws together will connect communities to faster internet service so everyone can communicate with health care providers via telehealth and students can access online school and educational resources.
TeenSource will share more information about these new laws once they take effect in 2022. In the meantime, visit the Know Your Rights section of our website to learn about the rights teens have now to access essential, free and confidential sexual + reproductive health care services.