AB-242 • 2026

Genetic disease screening.

Budget

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Boerner
Last action: 2026-02-02
Official status: From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on funding amounts or future disease additions, leaving these points as unknowns.

Screening Newborns for Genetic Diseases

This law requires newborn screening to include testing for Duchenne muscular dystrophy by January 1, 2027.

What This Bill Does

Requires the State Department of Public Health to add Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening tests as soon as possible but no later than January 1, 2027.

Who It Names or Affects

Newborns and their families who will be screened for additional genetic diseases.
The State Department of Public Health which must implement the new screening requirements.

Terms To Know

Genetic Disease Testing Fund (GDTF): A fund that collects fees from newborn screening tests to cover costs of genetic disease testing programs.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy: A serious genetic disorder affecting muscle strength and movement in boys and young men.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how much funding will be needed for the new screening program.
It is unclear if there are any limits on which other diseases might be added to newborn screenings in the future.

Bill History

2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2026-01-31 California Legislative Information
Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
In committee: Held under submission.
2025-04-23 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.
2025-04-02 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 1). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-03-20 California Legislative Information
In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
2025-02-10 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on HEALTH.
2025-01-15 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee February 14.
2025-01-14 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 242, as introduced, Boerner.
Genetic disease screening.
Existing law requires the State Department of Public Health to establish a program for the development, provision, and evaluation of genetic disease testing.
Existing law establishes the continuously appropriated Genetic Disease Testing Fund (GDTF), consisting of fees paid for newborn screening tests, and states the intent of the Legislature that all costs of the genetic disease testing program be fully supported by fees paid for newborn screening tests, which are deposited in the GDTF. Existing law also authorizes moneys in the GDTF to be used for the expansion of the Genetic Disease Branch Screening Information System to include cystic fibrosis, biotinidase, severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), and any other disease that is detectable in blood samples, as specified, and exempts the expansion of contracts for this
purpose from certain provisions of the Public Contract Code, the Government Code, and the State Administrative Manual, as specified.
This bill would require the department to expand statewide screening of newborns to include screening for Duchenne muscular dystrophy as soon as possible, but no later than January 1, 2027. By expanding the purposes for which moneys from the GDTF may be expended, this bill would make an appropriation.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF