AB-2233 • 2026

Behavioral health treatment plans.

Crime Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Ta
Last action: 2026-04-16
Official status: In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not specify penalties for violations, only that a violation would be considered a crime under existing laws.

Behavioral Health Treatment Plans

AB-2233 prohibits health care service plans and insurers from imposing restrictions on the use of authorized treatment hours within a six-month period for people with autism or pervasive developmental disorders.

What This Bill Does

Prohibits health care service plans and insurance companies from placing limits on how many treatment hours can be used within a six-month authorization period.
Requires that all authorized treatment hours must remain available throughout the entire six-month period.

Who It Names or Affects

People with autism or pervasive developmental disorders who need behavioral health treatments.
Health care service plans and insurance companies covering behavioral health treatment for these conditions.

Terms To Know

Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975: A law that sets rules for licensing and regulating health care service plans in California.
Department of Managed Health Care: The state agency responsible for overseeing the licensing and regulation of managed health care organizations.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify what happens if an insurance company or plan breaks these rules.
Does not provide details on how treatment hours will be monitored or enforced.

Bill History

2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 66. Noes 0.)
2026-04-09 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (April 8).
2026-03-25 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (March 24). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-03-09 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on HEALTH.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.
2026-02-19 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2233, as introduced, Ta.
Behavioral health treatment plans.
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 behavioral health treatment for pervasive developmental disorder or autism. Existing law requires this treatment to be provided under a prescribed treatment plan that is reviewed no less than every 6 months by the qualified autism service provider.
This bill would prohibit a health care service plan or health insurer from imposing restrictions on the utilization of authorized treatment hours within the treatment plan’s 6-month authorization period. The bill would require authorized hours to remain
available for use throughout the authorization period. 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.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF