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AB 870

California Children's Services Program: county designation.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Heather Hadwick

AB 870 allows small counties in California to partner with neighboring counties to administer the Children's Services Program, improving access to vital medical care for children.

Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 167, Statutes of 2025.
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Bill Summary · AB 870

Summary of AB 870: California Children's Services Program - County Designation

Bill Overview

Bill Number: AB 870
Introduced: February 19, 2025
Status: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 167, Statutes of 2025
Author: Hadwick
Subject: California Children's Services Program, County Designation

AB 870 amends the California Children’s Services (CCS) Program, which provides medically necessary services to individuals under 21 years of age with specific medical conditions, such as cystic fibrosis and hemophilia. The bill aims to enhance the flexibility of county administration of the CCS program, particularly for smaller counties.

Purpose and Intent

The primary intent of AB 870 is to allow counties with very small populations (under 2,000) to designate another county to administer the CCS program. This change is designed to improve service delivery in rural areas where administrative resources may be limited.

Key Provisions

  • Designation of Administering Agency:
    Each county's board of supervisors must designate either the county department of public health or the county department of social welfare as the agency responsible for administering the CCS program.

  • Population-Based Administration:

    • Counties with populations under 200,000 can administer the program independently or jointly with the state department.
    • Counties with populations over 200,000 must administer the program independently.

  • New Provision for Small Counties:

    • Counties with populations under 2,000 may designate another county to administer the CCS program if:
    • The other county agrees to the designation.
    • The other county meets the standards established by the Director of Health Care Services.
    • Neither county is classified as a Whole Child Model county under Medi-Cal provisions.

  • Regulatory Authority:
    The Department of Health Care Services is required to adopt regulations to implement these provisions, including requirements for written agreements between counties.

Impact

  • Counties Affected:
    This bill specifically targets very small counties (under 2,000 residents) that may struggle to administer the CCS program effectively on their own. By allowing them to partner with neighboring counties, the bill aims to ensure that children in these areas continue to receive necessary medical services.

  • Service Delivery Improvement:
    The flexibility provided by this bill is expected to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery in rural regions, ensuring that children with serious medical conditions receive timely and appropriate care.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill was approved by the Governor on October 1, 2025, and was chaptered into law shortly thereafter.
  • It underwent several legislative actions, including amendments and committee reviews, before being finalized.

Conclusion

AB 870 represents a significant step towards improving the administration of the California Children’s Services Program, particularly for small counties. By allowing for inter-county collaboration, the bill seeks to enhance access to essential medical services for children in need.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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