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State Legislation: Bill Amendments · September 27, 2026 · Primary source

CA AB 1854: new version, 09/27/26 - Chaptered

Score 70PRIMARYregulatoryState legislature

Summary

California AB 1854 was chaptered on September 27, 2026, as Chapter 485, Statutes of 2026, expanding existing protections for legally protected health care activities. The law extends shield provisions to apply regardless of the patient's physical location, prohibits arrest of persons the Governor has declined to extradite, and requires out-of-state legal process to include a perjury-penalty affidavit confirming the request is unrelated to a legally protected health care activity. It extends compliance obligations to California corporations providing financial services, not only electronic communications or remote computing services. Violations carry statutory penalties of $10,000 for a first offense and $15,000 for subsequent offenses, enforceable by the California Attorney General.

What this may mean

California providers, health systems, and financial services entities operating in California that receive out-of-state subpoenas, warrants, or law enforcement requests related to legally protected health care activities face new disclosure obligations and perjury-backed verification requirements effective upon chaptering. The law creates a private enforcement mechanism via AG action with per-violation penalties, raising exposure for any entity that complies with or furnishes information in response to a covered out-of-state inquiry. The financial services extension is a new compliance obligation for California-chartered or California-operating financial institutions that hold patient-related account data.

Informational only. Not legal, medical, financial, or other professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional familiar with your specific facts before relying on any item.

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