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AB-529 • 2026

Pharmacy: declared state of emergency.

Pharmacy: declared state of emergency.

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Ahrens
Last action
2025-07-10
Official status
In Senate. Held at Desk.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on what types of pharmacy rules can be waived or how often this extended waiver period will be used after an emergency ends.

Pharmacy Emergency Rules

This law allows California's pharmacy board to extend special rules that help during emergencies for up to 120 days after the emergency ends.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows the California State Board of Pharmacy to waive application of any provision of the Pharmacy Law or its regulations if it helps public health or patient care during a declared federal, state, or local emergency.
  • Extends this period from 90 days to 120 days after the end of a declared emergency.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The California State Board of Pharmacy
  • Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in California

Terms To Know

Declared emergency
A situation officially recognized by the government as an emergency, like a natural disaster or pandemic.
Waive application of rules
Not following certain rules for a specific period to help in emergencies.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what types of pharmacy rules can be waived.
  • It is unclear how often this extended waiver period will be used after an emergency ends.

Bill History

  1. 2025-07-10 California Legislative Information

    In Senate. Held at Desk.

  2. 2025-07-10 California Legislative Information

    Ordered to the Senate.

  3. 2025-07-10 California Legislative Information

    Withdrawn from Engrossing and Enrolling.

  4. 2025-07-03 California Legislative Information

    In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.

  5. 2025-07-03 California Legislative Information

    Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 35. Noes 0. Page 1932.).

  6. 2025-07-01 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.

  7. 2025-06-30 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Be ordered to second reading file pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to Consent Calendar.

  8. 2025-06-19 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.

  9. 2025-06-09 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (June 9). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  10. 2025-05-14 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.

  11. 2025-05-01 California Legislative Information

    In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

  12. 2025-05-01 California Legislative Information

    Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 76. Noes 0. Page 1386.)

  13. 2025-04-24 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.

  14. 2025-04-23 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (April 23).

  15. 2025-04-01 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 17. Noes 0.) (April 1). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  16. 2025-02-24 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on B. & P.

  17. 2025-02-12 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 14.

  18. 2025-02-11 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 529, as introduced, Ahrens.
Pharmacy: declared state of emergency.
The Pharmacy Law requires the California State Board of Pharmacy within the Department of Consumer Affairs to license and regulate the practice of pharmacy, including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacies. The Pharmacy Law authorizes the board, during a declared federal, state, or local emergency, to waive application of any provision of the Pharmacy Law or the regulations adopted pursuant to it, if, in the board’s opinion, the waiver will aid in the protection of public health or the provision of patient care. Existing law authorizes the board to elect to continue to waive application of any provision of the Pharmacy Law for up to 90 days following the termination of a declared public emergency if, in the board’s opinion, the continued waiver will aid in the protection of public health or the provision of patient care.
This bill would instead authorize the board to elect to continue to waive application of
any provision of the Pharmacy Law for up to 120 days following the termination of a declared emergency.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF