Assembly committee advances bill to allow 12‑month dispensing of prescription hormone therapy and codify federal nondiscrimination protections

Senator Menjivar presented SB 418 to the Assembly Business and Professions Committee on Oct. 26, 2025, proposing two main changes: codifying Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act into state law and requiring pharmacists to dispense up to a 12‑month supply of prescriptive hormone therapy when medically approved and authorized by a provider.

The bill’s sponsor said the measure would replicate prior California law expanding 12‑month dispensing for contraceptives and would codify nondiscrimination protections in health programs and activities that receive government funding. Senator Menjivar told the committee the changes were intended to “alleviate the fear that at the very moment your prescription can be cut off.”

Supporters of SB 418 described patients stockpiling or rationing medication because of uncertainty about federal policy. Shana Kirk, identified as a parent of a transgender child and a representative of Rainbow Families Action, said, “The ability to access a much more robust supply of doctor approved medications in the event something was to come up could make a huge difference in their well‑being, emotionally and physically.”

Board‑certified family physician Denise Taylor, who testified in support, said she has provided gender‑affirming care for more than two decades and that inadequate hormone access can worsen mental and physical health. “Decreasing barriers to access to care literally saves lives, and this bill will help achieve this goal for one of the most vulnerable groups of Californians,” Taylor said.

Multiple medical and advocacy organizations listed support, including Equality California, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, the Western Center on Law and Poverty, Children Now, Health Access California, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (District IX), and representatives of pediatric and family physician groups.

No primary witnesses in opposition were recorded at the hearing. The author stated she had accepted amendments previously agreed to in the Health Committee. The committee moved SB 418 as amended to the Committee on Appropriations.

SB 418 would set a sunset date for the 12‑month hormone dispensing requirement in January 2035 and would apply the nondiscrimination protection to government‑funded health programs and activities as described in the bill text. The committee report noted the author accepted amendments from the Health Committee prior to today’s hearing.

The bill will next be considered by the Assembly Committee on Appropriations; the author asked for an “I” vote when the committee is ready to act.