AMENDED IN SENATE JULY 2, 2026

AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 11, 2026

AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 16, 2026

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

96

Introduced by Assembly Member Bonta

February 19, 2026

An act to add Section 17031 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to indigent low-income health care.

Vote: majority   Appropriation: no   Fiscal committee: yes   Local program: yes

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

Existing law requires each county to provide aid, commonly known as a general assistance program, to the county’s indigent residents who are not supported by other means and are ineligible for the Medi-Cal program, as specified. Existing law sets forth various provisions relating to county-based health care services for indigent individuals and to reporting systems for those services.

This bill would require the State Department of Health Care Services, by July 1, 2027, to establish an internet website where the public can access information on safety-net health care services in the state. The bill would require that the website include certain information and resources, including, among other items, information about each county medically indigent health care program for uninsured individuals, that provides health care to low-income county residents who are uninsured or underinsured, including eligibility requirements, the cost structure for applicants, and other specified elements. The bill would require the department, in consultation with certain entities, to review the information and resources on the website, as specified.

The bill would require each county to submit any changes to the above-described elements to the department within 120 calendar days, as specified. By creating new data-reporting duties for counties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 17031 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

17031.

(a) In order to ensure that people have accurate and comprehensive information when accessing safety-net health care services in California, by July 1, 2027, the State Department of Health Care Services shall establish an internet website where the public can access information on safety-net health care services in the state.

(b) The internet website established pursuant to subdivision (a) shall include all of the following information and resources:

(1) A person’s legally protected right to emergency medical care under state and federal law.

(2) Payment support resources, including coverage options, state programs, hospital charity care, and other assistance that is available to help people access health care services.

(3) Information about each county medically indigent health care program for uninsured individuals, program that provides health care to low-income county residents who are uninsured or underinsured, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(A) All eligibility requirements, including age, citizenship or immigration status requirements, residency requirements, and income income, and other resource limits.

(B) The cost structure for applicants.

(C) The telephone number to reach the appropriate county program administrator. obtain information about the program.

(D) A hyperlink or Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for each county internet website related to safety-net services or medically indigent programs. health care safety-net programs.

(4) Any other information or resources that will assist an individual seeking comprehensive and accurate information about accessing medically indigent affordable health care services in the state.

(c) The department shall consult with the California State Association of Counties, organizations advocating for consumers’ access to health care, and other entities with expertise in health care for medically indigent individuals, low-income Californians, as determined by the department.

(d) The internet website shall have mobile capabilities.

(e) The internet website shall comply with Section 508 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794d), regulations implementing that act as set forth in Part 1194 (commencing with Section 1194.1) of Chapter XI of Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and any laws or regulations governing the accessibility of state internet websites.

(f) The department, in consultation with the entities described in subdivision (c), shall review the information and resources on the internet website to ensure that it is current and updated at reasonable intervals, but no less than once annually.

(g) The internet website and informational materials created and distributed pursuant to this section shall be made available in a manner to ensure that they are accessible by all state residents. The internet website and informational materials shall comply with the Dymally-Alatorre Bilingual Services Act (Chapter 17.5 (commencing with Section 7290) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code).

(h) Each county shall submit any changes to the elements described in subparagraphs (A) to (D), inclusive, of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) to the department within 120 calendar days after either approval by the county’s board of supervisors or an administrative or regulatory change, whichever is applicable.

SEC. 2.

If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.