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Board committee recommends support for AB 82 to protect gender-affirming and reproductive care
Summary
The California Board of Psychology’s legislative committee voted unanimously to recommend that the full board support AB 82, which would extend state protections to gender-affirming health care and related mental health services and expand access to an address‑confidentiality program for providers facing threats.
The Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Committee of the California Board of Psychology voted unanimously June 6 to recommend that the full board support AB 82, a bill that would extend California’s legally protected health care activity provisions to gender‑affirming care and related mental health services.
AB 82 would expand the definition of ‘‘legally protected health care activity’’ to include gender‑affirming health care and mental health services, bar courts from issuing warrants or subpoenas to investigate such care, prohibit state or local agencies from cooperating with out‑of‑state investigations into lawful gender‑affirming care or abortion in California, and allow affected providers, employees and volunteers to apply to the Secretary of State’s Safe at Home address confidentiality program. The committee packet lists AB 82 on page 301.
The committee discussed the bill after staff presented it as a watch item earlier in the agenda. Dr. Cervantes moved the committee recommend a support position to the full board, and Dr. Kasuga seconded the motion. The recorded vote was Kasuga — aye; Cervantes — aye; Rogers — aye. The motion passed.
Public commenters urged the committee to back the bill. Tyler Rindy, speaking for the California Psychological Association, said the association ‘‘has a support position on AB 82’’ and urged the board to consider supporting the Safe at Home provisions for mental‑health providers. Michelle Olson, a member of the public, also expressed support and described the bill as ‘‘timely and important’’ for providers and the transgender community.
Committee members said the measure is aimed at protecting both patients’ access to care and the safety of clinicians. Dr. Cervantes said the committee’s move to recommend support was motivated in part by recent, high‑profile incidents of threats and violence against health‑care workers and by concerns that providers who do not feel safe can inhibit access to care.
The committee’s recommendation will be forwarded to the full Board of Psychology for consideration at the next full‑board meeting; staff said the full board will review and may take action in its upcoming meeting cycle.
