Back to California

AB-29 • 2026

Medi-Cal: Adverse Childhood Experiences trauma screenings: providers.

Medi-Cal: Adverse Childhood Experiences trauma screenings: providers.

Healthcare Labor
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Arambula
Last action
Official status
Assembly - Died - Appropriations
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date is unknown until federal approvals are received and funds become available.

Medi-Cal Trauma Screening Providers

This law allows community health workers and enrolled doulas to be paid by Medi-Cal for screening patients for past trauma, provided they make referrals when needed.

What This Bill Does

  • Adds community-based organizations using community health workers as qualified providers eligible for payment for ACEs screenings.
  • Includes local health jurisdictions that provide services through community health workers as qualified providers.
  • Allows enrolled doulas to be paid by Medi-Cal for conducting these trauma screenings.
  • Requires the Department of Health Care Services to update its website and the ACEs Aware site with this new provider information.
  • Authorizes the department to create rules using provider manuals or notices instead of formal regulatory actions.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Community-based organizations employing community health workers
  • Local health jurisdictions providing services through community health workers
  • Doulas enrolled as Medi-Cal providers
  • The State Department of Health Care Services

Terms To Know

ACEs trauma screenings
Checks to see if a person has experienced stressful or harmful events in their early life.
Community health workers
Trained people who help connect community members with medical and social services.
Doulas
Professionals who provide support to pregnant women during pregnancy, labor, or after birth.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The law only takes effect if the federal government approves a change to California's state plan.
  • Implementation depends on whether federal funds are available to help pay for these services.
  • Specific details about how referrals must be made will come later in provider manuals or notices.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Assembly - Died - Appropriations

Official Summary Text

Medi-Cal: Adverse Childhood Experiences trauma screenings: providers.