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Senate panel sends AB 2448 to Health after unanimous support to strengthen reproductive‑care privacy
Summary
AB 2448, sponsored by an Assembly author with Planned Parenthood and the Attorney General's Office as cosponsors, would require electronic health record vendors to implement technical safeguards that let providers segregate sensitive reproductive and gender‑affirming care data. The committee passed it to the Health Committee.
Assemblymember Berman presented AB 2448 to the Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies and Consumer Protection as a follow‑up to California’s post‑Dobbs privacy measures. He said the bill would reinforce existing state law by requiring electronic health records vendors to implement technical capabilities so providers can segregate and protect sensitive medical records related to reproductive and gender‑affirming care.
Angela Pontes of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California and Tiffany Brokaw of the California Attorney General’s Office (legislative affairs) spoke as cosponsors and urged the committee to move the bill. Pontes said the measure would enable providers to protect patient confidentiality and help ensure access to care without fear of legal or criminal consequences. Brokaw said AB 2448 clarifies existing law and asked for an informational vote.
Multiple health, civil‑liberties and government representatives testified in support, including the California Academy of Family Physicians, Kaiser advocacy (Becca Kramer), the ACLU Cal Action and representatives from Los Angeles County. No witnesses registered public opposition during the committee hearing.
The committee moved to pass AB 2448 to the Health Committee. Committee clerks recorded the motion as "passed to Health" with an affirmative tally recorded in the hearing transcript and the measure was placed on call.
