Senate Bill 729, authored by Senator Caroline Menjivar, which requires state regulated large employer health insurance to cover the diagnosis and treatment of infertility, including IVF, goes into effect for contracts issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026.

El Proyecto de Ley del Senado SB 729 , presentado por la Senadora Caroline Menjivar, que exige que los seguros médicos para grandes empleadores regulados por el estado cubran el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la infertilidad, incluida la fertilización in vitro (FIV), entra en vigor para los contratos emitidos o renovados a partir del 1° de enero de 2026.

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Catherine S. Blakespear, D-Encinitas, issued the following statement, following Friday’s ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on California’s law banning open carry of firearms in county’s with more than 200,000 residents:

“This lawless coup is an invitation for China to invade Taiwan, for Russia to escalate its conquest in Ukraine, and for Netanyahu to expand the destruction of Gaza and annex the West Bank. Trump cares nothing for the human or economic cost of conquering another country — he cares only about enriching his billionaire donors.”

SACRAMENTO – La Senadora Catherine S. Blakespear, Demócrata por Encinitas, emitió la siguiente declaración tras el fallo del viernes de la Corte de Apelaciones del Noveno Circuito de Estados Unidos sobre la ley de California que prohíbe portar armas de fuego a la vista en condados con más de 200,000 habitantes:

SACRAMENTO – Today, Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) announced he will introduce legislation placing a 4-year moratorium on the sale and manufacturing of toys with AI chatbot capabilities for children under 18 to allow time for safety regulations to be developed protecting children from dangerous AI interactions.

SACRAMENTO – A new law authored by Sen. Catherine S. Blakespear, D-Encinitas, banning the use of plastic bags at grocery store checkouts takes effect on Thursday, helping to reduce the immense plastic waste created by California that is polluting the ocean and environment, killing wildlife and endangering public health.

BAKERSFIELD, CA — Senator Melissa Hurtado has been appointed by Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and selected to serve as Chair of Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 4.
 

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Catherine S. Blakespear, D-Encinitas, will continue as Chair of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee and in her current legislative assignments but will also join a committee focused on emergency management and the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls.

Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton) issued a statement in response to Senate Leader Limón’s announcement of 2026 Committee Membership Appointments.