LEGISLATION

Legislative Update – April 1, 2026

From HHP/CA Legislative Director Joseph Bartlett, BC-HIS, ACA

Below is a summary and update of specific bills and other advocacy efforts of interest.

I. Major Legislative Mandates

• AB 224 & SB 62 (Expanded Coverage): Signed into law by Governor Newsom on October 13, 2025, this legislation integrates hearing health into California’s Essential Health Benefits (EHB) benchmark plan.
• Effective Date: January 1, 2027.
• Scope: Applies to all individual and small-group health insurance policies.
• Mandated Benefits: Includes annual hearing exams for all ages and one hearing aid per ear every three years.
• SB 1368 (Licensing & Reporting): This bill updates the 2025–2026 session requirements for providers operating multiple locations.
• Branch Office Licensing: Providers practicing at more than one location must now secure a specific "Branch Office License" for each site, replacing the "duplicate license" system.
• "Temporary Basis" Defined: Practice at secondary or temporary facilities without a branch license is permitted only on a "temporary basis," defined as a non-repeating, short-term period.
• Address Reporting: Licensees must notify the Board in writing of all practice addresses. Any change in business address must be reported within 30 days of commencing practice at the new location.