Disability benefits: certificates.

Healthcare Labor

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Ward
Last action: 2026-04-22
Official status: From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Disability Benefits: No Fees for Certificates

This law stops doctors and other health care providers from charging extra fees when they fill out forms needed to get disability benefits or do follow-up checks.

What This Bill Does

Stops physicians and practitioners from asking for an administrative fee when filling out a form for a certificate of disability.
Also stops these professionals from charging an administrative fee for completing recertification exams or related paperwork.
Allows doctors to charge for medical services provided during the examination process, including copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles.

Who It Names or Affects

People who need disability benefits and their healthcare providers.

Terms To Know

Certificate: A document from a doctor that proves someone is sick or injured enough to get disability benefits.
Recertification examination: An exam needed by some people to keep getting their disability benefits after the initial period.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if a doctor refuses to fill out forms or do exams without being able to charge an administrative fee.
It is unclear how this law will be enforced and whether there are penalties for violating it.

Bill History

2026-04-22 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 16. Noes 0.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-20 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on INS.
2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on INS. Read second time and amended.
2026-03-17 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on INS.
2026-03-16 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on INS. Read second time and amended.
2026-03-16 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on INS.
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 2292, as amended, Ward.
Disability benefits: certificates.
Existing law requires a claimant for unemployment compensation disability benefits to establish medical eligibility for each uninterrupted period of disability by filing a first claim for disability benefits supported by a certificate of a treating physician or practitioner that establishes the sickness, injury, or pregnancy of the employee, or the condition of the family member that warrants the care of the employee. For subsequent periods of uninterrupted disability after the period covered by the initial certificate or any preceding continued claim, existing law requires a claimant to file a continued claim for those benefits supported by the certificate of a treating physician or practitioner.
This bill would prohibit a physician or practitioner from charging an administrative fee to complete a form for a certificate. The bill would
also
prohibit a physician or practitioner from charging an administrative fee to complete a recertification examination or for a form that is required to maintain continued eligibility for disability benefits.
The bill would provide that these provisions do not prohibit a physician or practitioner from billing for medical services provided in connection with an examination or collecting an applicable copayment, coinsurance, or deductible, as specified.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF