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AB 29

Revises provisions relating to motor vehicle fuel. (BDR 51-271)

2025 Regular Session

Expands Medi-Cal ACEs screening payments to community-based organizations, CHWs, and doulas, with required referrals, a SPA, federal approvals, and nonregulatory implementation.

Approved by the Governor. Chapter 218.
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Bill Summary · AB 29

AB 29 (Arambula) — Summary

Status: In committee; Held under submission (last action: 2025-05-23)
Introduced: December 2, 2024
Code added: Welfare and Institutions Code §14105.198

Purpose / Intent

AB 29 expands which enrolled Medi‑Cal providers are authorized and eligible to receive payment for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) trauma screenings. The bill is intended to increase access to ACEs screening in community settings by recognizing community-based organizations and doulas (when enrolled in Medi‑Cal) as qualified providers.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new §14105.198 to the Welfare and Institutions Code requiring the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), as part of its duties under §14105.197, to include the following enrolled Medi‑Cal providers as qualified to provide and eligible to receive payments for ACEs trauma screenings:
    1. Community-based organizations and local health jurisdictions that provide health services through community health workers (CHWs).
    2. Doulas.
  • Conditions payment on these providers making clinical or other appropriate referrals based on screening results.
  • Requires DHCS to file a Medicaid state plan amendment (SPA) and seek any federal approvals DHCS determines necessary to implement the changes.
  • Limits implementation to the extent federal approvals are obtained and federal financial participation (FFP) is available and not jeopardized.
  • Directs DHCS to update its website and the ACEs Aware website to reflect the added provider types.
  • Allows DHCS to implement the law via provider manuals, bulletins, policy letters, or similar instructions without formal regulatory rulemaking (i.e., exempting implementation from the Administrative Procedure Act rulemaking requirements).

Affected parties / impact

  • Directly affects enrolled Medi‑Cal providers: community‑based organizations/ local health jurisdictions using CHWs and doulas who are enrolled in Medi‑Cal.
  • Potentially increases access to ACEs screenings in community and perinatal settings, which may improve identification and linkage to services for individuals with traumatic exposures.
  • Requires these providers to establish referral pathways (clinical or other appropriate referrals) to be eligible for payment—this may necessitate coordination with clinical providers or referral networks.
  • Fiscal impact depends on DHCS securing any necessary federal approvals and availability of federal financial participation; the bill contains no appropriation. The fiscal committee has reviewed the bill.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • DHCS must submit a SPA and obtain federal approvals before implementing the payment eligibility changes.
  • The bill permits immediate implementation by DHCS through nonregulatory guidance once approvals are in place.
  • Legislative progress: Referred to Assembly Health, amended and re-referred, passed Health committee and referred to Appropriations (placed on suspense and later held under submission).

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

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