State Senators Invest in California Families this Session
What you need to know: Supporting California families is key to the future success of the Golden State. When families are supported, the economy, children, and the most vulnerable succeed. This year, the State Senate continued to support key programs for all family members to utilize throughout many stages of their lives.
SANTA BARBARA – This year, the California State Senate made strides to ensure families can receive the support they need not just to make ends meet, but to thrive. From childcare and education to healthcare and human services, the Senate authored policies that seek to improve the lives of all Californians and provide a safe and stable future.
In 2019, Senate pro Tem Limón authored AB 378 to form the largest union in recent California history, Child Care Providers United (CCPU). The creation of the CCPU gave providers a voice to address long-standing disparities in the childcare economy and ensure working families can access safe, affordable, reliable care. Building on that work, this year, pro Tem Limón fought to ensure the state stayed on track to meet its childcare goals by investing $269.2 million to create 22,770 additional subsidized childcare slots.
“Time and time again, California has stepped up to support working families. Whether that be through strengthening our care economy, investing in early education, or expanding access to life-changing career pathways, the Senate believes in putting families first. With these investments, the state is showing its commitment to fostering the collective well-being of our communities.”
Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón
The State Senate stood firm as the federal administration continues to implement H.R.1, which will lead to thousands of Californians losing access to healthcare and social safety net programs. Through the legislative process, California sought to mitigate some of the potential devastation. SB 331 by Senator Menjivar does just that by ensuring that families can afford hearing aids by requiring large group health plans to cover the costs. In addition, Senator Hurtado’s SB 557, the Families First Act, strengthens access to family resource centers, providing critical support to families that need it most. At a time when the nation is facing an affordability crisis, California has stepped up to ensure resources are available to relieve some of that pressure.
“From federal rollbacks in healthcare to rising costs of everyday essentials, we continue to put affordability and the well-being of California families at the forefront. SB 331 is an important part of that work and if signed, will reduce financial barriers to time-sensitive medical equipment and provide the treatment needed for the thousands of California families currently without affordable coverage for their child’s hearing aids by mandating coverage through large group health plans. This bill will change a family’s approach to being forced to avoid hearing aids for their hard-of-hearing child simply because they can’t afford it, to giving that opportunity to their child should they choose to. I am proud to have worked alongside advocates year after year to bring this important legislation to the Governor’s desk and to continue pushing meaningful results for California’s families.”
Senator Caroline Menjivar (D–San Fernando Valley)
“SB 557, the Families First Act, earned broad bipartisan support and was signed into law this year. My bill strengthens California’s network of Family Resource Centers and the support provided to families before challenges become crises. Supporting families means ensuring parents have somewhere to turn when times get tough and providing them the tools to keep their families safe, strong and united. Too many parents are doing everything they can and still struggling to keep up with the demands of everyday life. Senate Bill 557 reflects a simple principle: families should not have to reach a breaking point before help arrives.”
Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield)
Housing and education continue to remain top priorities for families across the state struggling with affordability. The State Senate made history this year by putting the Veteran and Affordable Housing Bond on the November ballot. This bond directly addresses the housing crisis plaguing California families and veterans. Earlier this year, Senator Cabaldon stated:
“With one vote, California will build tens of thousands of new homes, prevent existing affordable housing from disappearing, and help Californians who need a hand to buy a home or partner with organizations like Habitat for Humanity. The legislation builds rooftops for homeless and foster youth, students, and farmworkers, and supports our veterans with the largest-ever investment in the CalVet home loan program.”
Senator Christopher Cabaldon (D-Yolo)
Access to education serves as a stepping stone for middle-class families hoping to climb the socioeconomic ladder. The California Legislature moved forward with several bills that make it easier for families to start the education journey early, including closing the math gap for kindergarten-to-second-grade students. California also continued critical funding for the Middle Class Scholarship, created the Science and Health Research Bond Act to continue critical institutional research, and established a process for postsecondary educational institutions to receive a designation as a California Hispanic-Serving Institution.
BILLS PASSED THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE
SB 331 – Menjivar: Requires large group health plans to cover hearing aids for children.
SB 557 - Hurtado: Broadens the definition of family resource centers with the goal of preventing child abuse and neglect and strengthening children and families. Signed into law
SB 874 - Weber Pierson: Strengthens oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment (BHT) by requiring criminal background checks for BHT provider employees who interact with patients and requiring the Department of Health Care Services to engage stakeholders to inform changes to BHT coverage and billing policies. (BHT services include applied behavior analysis (ABA) for children with autism.)
SB 1024 - Menjivar: Focuses on firefighter postpartum and recovery leave. The bill proposes providing active-duty firefighters with up to 26 weeks of fully paid leave when they can no longer work due to pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition. Signed into law
SB 1051 - Menjivar: Foster Care Bridge streamlining: Authorizes childcare navigators to refer foster children to the county welfare department for eligibility and approval under the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program in addition to the current process of having county welfare agencies share information on the bridge program.
SB 1083 – Perez: Builds on the Safe Learning Environments Act (SB 848, Chapter 460, Statutes of 2025) by expanding background checks and misconduct-screening requirements for contractors providing services to pupils and strengthens employment history inquiries and disclosures regarding egregious misconduct by noncertificated public school and private school employees.
SB 1089 – Richardson: Focuses on expanding state drug partnerships to make GLP-1 medications available at an affordable price for all Californians
SB 1255 – Reyes: Establishes a California process for postsecondary educational institutions to receive a designation as a California Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). This bill is in response to Trump eliminating the Minority Serving Institutions program and grants this year.
SB 1261 – Laird: Protects continued access to services for older adults and people with disabilities during transitions affecting aging and disability services. The bill ensures the Aging and Disability Resource Connections (ADRCs) serving San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties will not shutter due to current transitions in these Planning and Service Agencies. Signed into law
SB 1345 – Wahab: Strengthens the Foster Youth Bill of Rights by ensuring that young people can reasonably access their personal belongings and that, when they must move, their belongings are transported in suitcases, duffel bags, backpacks, moving boxes, or other appropriate containers — not trash bags. Signed into law