AB 1930 empowers California Attorney General to intervene when out-of-state efforts target legally protected health care.
SACRAMENTO, CA – Democratic Caucus Chair and Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D–Hollywood) today announced AB 1930, legislation to protect patients and providers who access or deliver reproductive health care and gender-affirming health care in California. Sponsored by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Equality California, this legislation strengthens California's existing shield laws by requiring certain entities to notify the California Attorney General if they receive a subpoena seeking information related to legally protected health care services. The bill also authorizes the Attorney General to intervene and defend patients, families, and providers from efforts targeting lawful medical care.
"Patients seeking reproductive health care or gender-affirming health care — including access to legal, safe abortion and health care for transgender people — deserve the same fundamental protections as anyone else receiving medical treatment: privacy, dignity, and the freedom to make decisions about their health without fear," said Assemblymember Zbur. "California has made clear that this care is legal, medically necessary, and protected under our laws. AB 1930 strengthens those protections by ensuring that when someone attempts to obtain private medical information or intimidate providers, the State of California can step in to defend the patients, families, and health professionals who rely on or provide these services. No one should have to worry that seeking lawful medical care in California could put their safety or privacy at risk."
California has become a national leader in protecting access to reproductive health care and gender-affirming health care. However, recent actions by federal and out-of-state officials have raised concerns about attempts to obtain private medical information or prosecute individuals involved in legally protected health care.
In 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a subpoena to Children's Hospital Los Angeles seeking information that could identify thousands of transgender youth who had received gender-affirming health care. The action raised serious concerns about patient privacy and harassment and contributed to the closure of the hospital's Center for TransYouth Health and Development and Gender-Affirming Care program, limiting access to care for transgender patients across the region. Similarly, the Louisiana Attorney General recently indicted a California physician for allegedly prescribing abortion medication to a patient in Louisiana.
"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."
"Across the country, we are seeing coordinated efforts to weaponize the legal system to target patients and providers for seeking or delivering lawful, medically necessary health care," said Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang. "AB 1930 builds on California's existing protections for transgender people, those seeking reproductive health care, and the providers who serve them by establishing critical safeguards against out-of-state subpoenas and investigations that threaten privacy, safety, and access to care. At a time of escalating political attacks, this bill sends a clear message: California will continue to stand with transgender people and defend the providers who care for them."
By strengthening California's existing protections, AB 1930 helps ensure that patients and providers can access and deliver medically necessary care without fear of harassment or retaliation from hostile jurisdictions. This bill will be heard in policy committee in the coming weeks.
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.
CONTACT: Vienna Montague, (916) 319-2051, Vienna.Montague@asm.ca.gov