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Committee advances bill allowing local health jurisdictions to opt into birth defects monitoring
Summary
AB 1129 would allow local health jurisdictions to make certain birth defects and early-life conditions reportable at local expense so counties can monitor trends; sponsor representatives said the measure imposes no state cost and is opt-in.
Assemblymember Arias presented AB 1129, which would permit local health jurisdictions to make specified birth defects and certain health conditions in the first year of life reportable to the county for monitoring and response.
Arias said monitoring birth defects and related perinatal conditions enables local public-health agencies to detect and respond to emerging exposures and trends. Witnesses and the bill’s sponsor, Martha Guerrero of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, said the measure is opt-in and includes no state costs because counties that choose to monitor would do so at their own expense. Kathy Mossberg of the First 5 Association spoke in support.
The committee recorded no primary opposition. Arias and the sponsor emphasized that California’s existing birth defects monitoring program operates in only 10 counties and that AB 1129 would expand local monitoring options without imposing new statewide operating costs.
After testimony, members moved and seconded the measure; the committee reported AB 1129 out on a roll call with recorded notations that some Republicans did not vote and that one member voted aye. The bill will advance to the Assembly floor.
