Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that will enact the Dignity in pregnancy and childbirth act in California.

Highlights:

• Extends the evidence-based implicit bias training requirements to specified health care providers at hospitals that provide perinatal care, alternative birth centers, or primary care clinics (Sec. 1). 

• Requires an implicit bias program to include recognition of intersecting identities and the potential associated biases (Sec. 1).

• Requires initial basic training for the implicit bias program to be completed by June 1, 2025, for current health care providers, and within 6 months of their start date for new health care providers (Sec. 1). 

• Requires specified facilities to, by February 1 of each year, commencing in 2026, provide the Attorney General with proof of compliance with these provisions (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the Attorney General to pursue civil penalties for violations of these provisions (Sec. 1). 

• Requires that Attorney General be awarded all attorney’s fees and costs in any civil action in which a court imposes any of those civil penalties (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the Attorney General to post on its internet website a list of facilities that did not timely submit proof of compliance or were assessed penalties under these provisions (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the Attorney General to post any other compliance data they deem necessary and would authorize the Attorney General to biennially publish a report outlining compliance data related to these provisions (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that establishes the Dignity in pregnancy and childbirth act in California.

Highlights:

• Extends the evidence-based implicit bias training requirements to specified health care providers at hospitals that provide perinatal care, alternative birth centers, or primary care clinics (Sec. 1). 

• Requires an implicit bias program to include recognition of intersecting identities and the potential associated biases (Sec. 1).

• Requires initial basic training for the implicit bias program to be completed by June 1, 2025, for current health care providers, and within 6 months of their start date for new health care providers (Sec. 1). 

• Requires specified facilities to, by February 1 of each year, commencing in 2026, provide the Attorney General with proof of compliance with these provisions (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the Attorney General to pursue civil penalties for violations of these provisions (Sec. 1). 

• Requires that Attorney General be awarded all attorney’s fees and costs in any civil action in which a court imposes any of those civil penalties (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the Attorney General to post on its internet website a list of facilities that did not timely submit proof of compliance or were assessed penalties under these provisions (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the Attorney General to post any other compliance data they deem necessary and would authorize the Attorney General to biennially publish a report outlining compliance data related to these provisions (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text