AB 1930 Strengthens California Shield Laws and Protects Patient Privacy from Out-of-State Attacks
May 31, 2026 - SACRAMENTO, CA - Democratic Caucus Chair and Assemblymember Rick Chavez 
Zbur's (D-Hollywood) bill AB 1930, legislation strengthening California's shield laws protecting patients and providers of reproductive and gender-affirming health care,has passed the California State Assembly and now heads to the Senate. Sponsored by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Equality California, the bill requires California entities to notify the Attorney General before complying with subpoenas or summons seeking information related to legally protected reproductive or gender-affirming health care services, allowing the state to intervene before sensitive patient information is disclosed.
"Patients seeking reproductive or gender-affirming health care deserve privacy, dignity, and the freedom to make personal medical decisions without fear of political intimidation," said Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur. "As extremist politicians across the country attempt to criminalize legally protected health care, California must continue standing firmly on the side of patients, families, providers, and the rule of law. AB 1930 strengthens our ability to protect people seeking lawful medical care in our state from politically motivated attacks and invasions of privacy."
California has become a national leader in protecting access to reproductive and gender-affirming health care, but recent actions by hostile states and federal actors have threatened those protections. In 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a subpoena to Children's Hospital Los Angeles seeking information that could identify more than 3,000 transgender youth who had received gender-affirming care. The subpoena contributed to the closure of the hospital's Center for Transyouth Health and Development and Gender-Affirming Care program, significantly reducing access to care for transgender patients across Southern California.
Similarly, Louisiana officials recently sought information connected to abortion care prescribed by a California physician to an out-of-state patient, underscoring growing efforts by hostile states to target providers and patients receiving legally protected care in California.
AB 1930 establishes procedural safeguards before California entities can comply with subpoenas or summons related to reproductive or gender-affirming health care. Under the bill, entities must notify the Attorney General within seven days, make reasonable efforts to notify impacted individuals, and wait at least 30 days before complying. The bill also grants the Attorney General authority to intervene, pursue civil enforcement actions, and seek penalties for violations.
"California is a safe haven for reproductive rights and gender-affirming care. In the face of ongoing attacks by the Trump Administration, I'm proud to sponsor legislation that strengthens our role as a safe haven," said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. "These medical decisions are deeply personal and should be made by patients with their providers, free from interference by politicians. California will not be intimidated into abandoning our values."
"California has a responsibility to protect people seeking legally protected health care from politically motivated attacks and invasions of privacy. Extremist officials across the country are targeting patients, families, and providers for accessing or delivering reproductive and transgender health care," said Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang. "AB 1930 strengthens California's ability to stand as a firewall for privacy, safety, and medical freedom. We are grateful to Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur for his leadership and to the Assembly for advancing this critical legislation to ensure people can access care without fear that their personal information will be weaponized against them."
Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur serves as the Democratic Caucus Chair for the California State Assembly and represents the 51st Assembly District, which includes Universal City, Hollywood, Hancock Park, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Westwood, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and other portions of Los Angeles.
Source: Assemblymember Rick Chavez