SB 1309: Health care coverage: lung cancer.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, provides for the licensure and regulation of health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care, and makes a willful violation of the act a crime. Existing law provides for the regulation of health insurers by the Department of Insurance. Existing law requires a health care service plan contract or health insurance policy to provide coverage for all generally medically accepted cancer screening tests.

This bill would require a health care service plan contract or health insurance policy, except as specified, that is issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, to provide coverage for followup screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer, as specified. The bill would prohibit a contract or policy from imposing a copayment, coinsurance, deductible, or any other form of cost sharing for this coverage. If a health care service plan contract or health insurance policy is a high deductible health plan, the bill would prohibit the contract or policy from imposing a deductible, coinsurance, or any other cost sharing on this coverage unless not imposing the deductible, coinsurance, or cost sharing would conflict with the federal requirements for high deductible health plans. Because a willful violation of these provisions by a health care service plan would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. August 13, 2026August 13 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.
2. July 1, 2026July 1 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.
3. June 18, 2026Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
4. June 17, 2026From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (June 16).
5. May 26, 2026Referred to Com. on HEALTH.
6. May 20, 2026In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
7. May 19, 2026Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 38. Noes 0. Page 4349.) Ordered to the Assembly.
8. May 14, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
9. May 14, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0. Page 4272.) (May 14).
10. May 8, 2026Set for hearing May 14.
11. May 4, 2026May 4 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
12. April 28, 2026Set for hearing May 4.