What SB 1271 does
An act to amend, repeal, and add Section 502 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts.
Existing law, the Licensed Midwifery Practice Act of 1993, provides for the licensure of midwives by the Medical Board of California. Existing law requires specified boards, including the Medical Board of California, to request certain workforce data from their licensees, including midwives, for future workforce planning at least biennially or at the time of electronic license renewal, as applicable. Existing law establishes the Department of Health Care Access and Information, and requires the board to provide the individual licensee and registrant data it collects to the department, as specified.
This bill would additionally require the board to request certain information from a licensed midwife related to their availability to serve as a clinical preceptor for student midwives enrolled in a midwifery education program, as specified. The bill would require the board to quarterly provide that information to the department for the purpose of statewide midwifery workforce planning, analysis, and public reporting. The bill would require the department to submit a report to the Legislature, on or before June 30, 2029, detailing the department’s findings based on that information. The bill would require the board and department to maintain the confidentiality of information collected or provided, as specified. The bill would make these provisions inoperative on June 30, 2029, and would repeal them as of January 1, 2030.
Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.
This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 502 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by AB 1811 to be operative only if this bill and AB 1811 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
Summary from the Legislative Counsel's Digest of the amended assembly text, August 21, 2026. Read the full text on leginfo.
How it got here
Senator Reyes introduced SB 1271 on February 20, 2026, with coauthors Senators Caballero and Wahab and Assembly Member Bonta. The text was amended 5 times, 3 in the Assembly and 2 in the Senate, and heard in 8 committee hearings before its final floor votes.
- Senate Floor, May 19, 2026: 39 ayes, 0 noes.
- Assembly Floor, August 25, 2026: 78 ayes, 0 noes.
- Senate Floor, August 28, 2026: 40 ayes, 0 noes.
Committee votes along the way:
- Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development, April 13, 2026: Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Health], 11-0.
- Senate Health, April 22, 2026: Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar, 11-0.
- Senate Appropriations, May 4, 2026: Placed on suspense file, 7-0.
- Senate Appropriations, May 14, 2026: Do pass as amended, 7-0.
- Assembly Business and Professions, June 16, 2026: Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Health], 17-0.
- Assembly Health, June 30, 2026: Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 15-0.
- Assembly Appropriations, August 13, 2026: Do pass as amended., 11-0.
Who supports and opposes SB 1271
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 25, 2026 lists 18 organizations in support and 0 in opposition. When Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development first listed positions on April 10, 2026, the count was 1 in support and 0 opposed. By the Senate Floor Analyses analysis of August 25, 2026 it was 18 to 0.
In support: Foundation California Solis Policy Institute (sponsor); Reproductive Health Rights and Justice Team from the Women’s (sponsor); Around-birth Collective, INC; Bipoc Student Midwives Fund; Black Women Birthing Justice; Black Women for Wellness; California Association of Licensed Midwives; California Coalition for Black Birth Justice; and 10 more.
Read the Senate Floor Analyses analysis.
What happens next
It reached the Governor's desk on September 4, 2026. Bills presented after the Legislature adjourned on August 31 must be signed or vetoed within thirty days.
The Governor can sign the bill, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Until the decision, sign and veto request letters are the remaining channel, and the Department of Finance's enrolled bill report carries weight on anything with a fiscal effect. If signed, most provisions take effect January 1, and implementation moves to the agencies named in the bill.
What it means for pharmaceutical organizations
Two decisions follow from a bill at this stage. The first is whether to weigh in with the Governor's office before the thirty-day window closes. The second is how to prepare for implementation if it becomes law: which agency writes the rules, when the comment period opens, and which obligations begin January 1.
The pharma group at Capitol Axis handles that for pharmaceutical clients.
Questions about SB 1271
What does SB 1271 do?
This bill would additionally require the board to request certain information from a licensed midwife related to their availability to serve as a clinical preceptor for student midwives enrolled in a midwifery education program, as specified. The bill would require the board to quarterly provide that information to the department for the purpose of statewide midwifery workforce planning, analysis, and public reporting. The bill would require the department to submit a report to the Legislature, on or before June 30, 2029, detailing the department’s findings based on that information. The bill
Has SB 1271 passed the California Legislature?
It reached the Governor's desk on September 4, 2026. Bills presented after the Legislature adjourned on August 31 must be signed or vetoed within thirty days.
Who supports and opposes SB 1271?
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 25, 2026 lists 18 organizations in support and 0 in opposition. Supporters include Foundation California Solis Policy Institute (sponsor); Reproductive Health Rights and Justice Team from the Women’s (sponsor); Around-birth Collective, INC.
What happens next with SB 1271?
The Governor can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Until then, sign and veto request letters are the remaining channel, and the Department of Finance's enrolled bill report carries weight on anything with a fiscal effect.