Assembly committee advances bill requiring time-and-distance standards for labor and delivery access

Senators on the Assembly Health Committee voted to move SB 32 to the appropriations committee after supporters and health‑care stakeholders described gaps in timely access to hospital labor and delivery services.

Senator Weber Pearson, the bill’s author, told the committee that “more than 50 hospitals across the state have shut down or suspended their labor and delivery services, creating maternity care deserts,” and that lack of nearby delivery services can force pregnant people to travel long distances and face increased risk of premature births and other complications. The bill would require the Department of Health Care Services, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Managed Health Care and the Department of Insurance to “engage in a robust comprehensive stakeholder process to develop time and distance standards for labor and delivery units,” Pearson said.

Physicians and hospitals urged the committee to support the measure. Dr. Patrice Trowbridge, an OB/GYN testifying for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said immediate access to a facility equipped with a labor and delivery unit “isn't a luxury. It's a medical necessity.” Vanessa Gonzales of the California Hospital Association said specific, enforceable standards for hospital‑based labor and delivery units would help identify gaps and “hold not only providers accountable, but health plans as well.” Other supporters filing or delivering testimony included Ryan Spencer (California Medical Association), Tim Madden (California chapter, American College of Emergency Physicians) and Karen Stout (California Nurse‑Midwives Association).

Opposition testimony was limited. Darby Kernan representing Local Health Plans of California registered opposition; the record shows the committee treated that position as part of the discussion but did not identify a specific technical amendment requested on the floor. Assemblymember Patel made the motion to move the bill; the committee later recorded a roll call sending SB 32 to appropriations.

The bill’s author emphasized the measure would not mandate construction of new facilities but instead require transparency and enforceable access standards so health plans are accountable for maintaining networks that serve pregnant patients. Supporters repeatedly framed the bill as one step—among others—toward preventing maternity ward closures and improving maternal safety and equity.

The committee’s vote put SB 32 on a path to further fiscal review in appropriations.

SB 32 will proceed to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for further consideration.