AB-2429 • 2026

Childcare: mental health consultation services.

Children Education Parental Rights

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Blanca Rubio
Last action: 2026-06-03
Official status: Referred to Coms. on HUMAN S. and ED.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on the financial aspects or consequences for non-compliance.

Childcare: Mental Health Help for Kids

This law changes how childcare providers can get money back when they offer mental health help to kids by removing old requirements and adding new ones.

What This Bill Does

Removes the requirement that early childhood mental health consultation services must use a relationship-based model with specific components to be reimbursable.
Requires the use of an early care and education classroom observation tool at least once per school year in each classroom or program year, in consultation with the classroom team or childcare provider.

Who It Names or Affects

Childcare providers who offer mental health services
Children up to age 13 in childcare programs

Terms To Know

Reimbursable: The government will pay back the money spent on certain activities.
Relationship-based model: A way of helping children that focuses on building strong relationships with them and their families.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify how much money providers will get back.
The bill does not explain what happens if childcare providers do not use the classroom observation tool as required.

Bill History

2026-06-03 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on HUMAN S. and ED.
2026-05-21 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-05-21 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 68. Noes 0.)
2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.
2026-05-13 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 13).
2026-04-16 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (April 15). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-06 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on ED.
2026-03-26 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2026-03-25 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on ED. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (March 24).
2026-03-09 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on HUM. S. and ED.
2026-02-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2429, as amended, Blanca Rubio.
Childcare: mental health consultation services.
The Child Care and Development Services Act, administered by the State Department of Social Services, establishes a system of childcare and development services for children up to 13 years of age. The Early Education Act requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction, to, among other things, provide an inclusive and cost-effective preschool program. Under both acts, the cost to a provider agency of providing an early childhood mental health consultation service is reimbursable if certain requirements are met, including that the consultation service uses a relationship-based model that includes specified components, including, among others, that, at least twice per program year, early care- and education setting-based mental health assessments are conducted and that there is, with the consent of parents or legal guardians, at least one screening of each enrolled child for adverse
childhood experiences and screening for buffering factors.
This bill would remove the requirement that the consultation service use a relationship-based model that includes those components in order to be reimbursable and instead requires that, in order to be reimbursable, the consultation service, among other things, uses a relationship-based model that
includes that,
includes,
at least once per school
year in each classroom,
or program year,
in consultation with the classroom
team,
team or childcare provider, as applicable,
the use of an early care and education classroom observation tool to inform the specific activities and support the consultant will provide.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF