Governor Newsom Signs Senator Weber Pierson’s Sweeping Legislative Package Into Law
SACRAMENTO, CA – Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D. (D-San Diego) sweeping legislative bill package into law, advancing major policies aimed at improving the health, education, safety and economic well-being of Californians.
Senator Weber Pierson sent 15 bills to Governor Newsom’s desk, 14 of which he signed into law. The legislative package represents one of Senator Weber Pierson’s most consequential bodies of work to date, tackling challenges that touch Californians at every stage of life, from helping young children build strong math skills and giving families clearer information about added sugar, to protecting patients from bias in artificial intelligence and expanding access to critical Alzheimer’s treatments.
Among the centerpiece measures signed into law are SB 869, which will give Californians clearer information about beverages with high amounts of added sugar on restaurant menus; SB 1067, which will help identify students struggling with math in the earliest grades and connect them with evidence-based support; SB 950, which will help Californians with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease access medically necessary FDA-approved treatments; and SB 503, which establishes safeguards designed to prevent artificial intelligence used in health care from reinforcing or worsening existing disparities.
“This legislative package reflects what public service should be about, identifying the challenges Californians face every day and taking meaningful action to address them,” said Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D. “From strengthening the foundation of our children’s education and giving families better information to make healthy choices, to expanding access to lifesaving health care and ensuring emerging technology does not perpetuate bias, these new laws will make a real difference in people’s lives. I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished this year and grateful to everyone who worked alongside us to move California forward.”
Senator Weber Pierson’s Signed 2026 Legislative Package:
SB 344 – City of San Diego: Mixed-Use Development Project
Provides that a specified City of San Diego environmental impact report for the Midway Rising mixed-use development project is sufficient, adequate and complete for purposes of compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act, allowing subsequent project approvals to rely on that environmental review.
SB 503 – Health Care Services: Artificial Intelligence
Requires developers and deployers of clinical decision support systems to identify tools that present a risk of biased impacts, proactively mitigate those risks and monitor systems once deployed across patient populations.
SB 849 – Physicians and Surgeons: Sexual Misconduct and Offenses
Prevents a physician or surgeon from seeking reinstatement after surrendering their license while a disciplinary accusation involving sexual misconduct or exploitation of a current or former patient was pending.
SB 869 – Sugar Labeling on Menus
Requires chain restaurants with 20 or more locations to display a clear added sugar icon and accompanying notice next to standard menu beverages containing high levels of added sugar, giving consumers more information when making beverage choices.
SB 874 – Medi-Cal: Behavioral Health Treatment: Stakeholder Feedback
Strengthens oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment by requiring criminal background checks for provider employees who interact with patients and requiring the Department of Health Care Services to engage stakeholders in improving behavioral health treatment coverage and billing policies.
SB 945 – School Curriculum: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Automated External Defibrillators
Requests that the Instructional Quality Commission consider incorporating CPR and AED instruction into California’s Physical Education Framework, taking an important step toward giving more students exposure to lifesaving skills.
SB 950 – Health Care Coverage: Dementia
Ensures timely access to FDA-approved, medically necessary treatments for Californians with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
SB 958 – Environmental Impacts
Addresses how certain environmental impacts are evaluated when those impacts have already been analyzed in a certified environmental impact report.
SB 977 – Chain Restaurants: Children’s Meals
Requires large chain restaurants with 20 or more locations that offer children’s meals to provide at least one option that meets expert nutrition standards.
SB 983 – San Diego Unified Port District: Job Order Contracting Pilot Program
Authorizes the San Diego Unified Port District to use Job Order Contracting for eligible maintenance projects through a pilot program.
SB 999 – Franchise Tax Board: Reporting Requirements
Provides policymakers and the public with more complete information by revising reporting requirements related to California’s health insurance mandate and reconciliation of state health insurance subsidies.
SB 1049 – Health Care Claims Reimbursement
Creates greater fairness and transparency in the health care reimbursement process by giving providers a uniform 90-day period to submit corrected claims following a health plan’s latest action and prohibiting plans from rejecting qualifying corrected claims solely because of filing deadlines.
SB 1067 – Math Assessments
Requires annual K-2 math assessments to identify students who need additional help early and provide evidence-based interventions designed to build strong foundational math skills.
SB 1094 – Prescription Drugs
Helps lower health care costs by promoting the use of safe, effective and lower-cost biosimilar treatments when available.
Together, the measures reflect Senator Weber Pierson’s continued focus on improving health outcomes, supporting children and families, strengthening consumer protections, promoting educational opportunity and addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing communities across California.
For more information about Senator Weber Pierson’s bill package or to request an interview, please contact Albert Parnell at Albert.Parnell@sen.ca.gov or 916-651-4039.
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Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D. represents California's 39th Senate District, which includes portions of San Diego County, the cities of Coronado, El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove, as well as portions of the City of San Diego. Senator Weber Pierson is a board-certified OB/GYN and serves as the chair of the Senate Health Committee.
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