Zbur Bill Protecting Patient Privacy and Access to Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Health Care Heads to Governor's Desk

AB 1930 Strengthens California's Shield Laws and Gives Attorney General Additional Tools to Protect Patients and Providers

SACRAMENTO, CA - Democratic Caucus Chair and Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood) announced today that AB 1930 has passed the California Senate and received final concurrence in the Assembly, sending the bill to California Governor Gavin Newsom's desk. Sponsored by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Equality California, AB 1930 strengthens California's shield laws by requiring certain entities to notify the Attorney General when they receive subpoenas or summonses seeking information related to legally protected abortion or gender-affirming health care. The bill also authorizes the Attorney General to respond and intervene when appropriate.

"California cannot allow hostile jurisdictions to use our institutions to target patients and providers for health care that is lawful in our state," said Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur. "AB 1930 gives our Attorney General an important opportunity to step in when private information about reproductive or gender-affirming health care is being sought. I'm proud this bill has passed the Legislature, and I urge Governor Newsom to sign it into law."

Recent federal and out-of-state actions have underscored the need for stronger protections. In 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a subpoena to Children's Hospital Los Angeles seeking information that could identify thousands of transgender youth who had received gender-affirming care. The Louisiana Attorney General also recently indicted a California physician for allegedly prescribing abortion medication to a patient in Louisiana. By strengthening California's existing shield laws, AB 1930 helps ensure patients and providers can access and deliver legally protected health care without fear that their private information will be used to facilitate hostile investigations or enforcement actions.

AB 1930 establishes procedural safeguards before California entities can comply with subpoenas or summons related to abortion or gender-affirming health care. Under the bill, entities must notify the Attorney General at least seven days before producing records in response to the request, unless a shorter timeline is required by federal law or other federal obligation. The bill also grants the Attorney General authority to intervene, pursue civil enforcement actions, seek penalties for violations, and make reasonable attempts to individuals, including patients and providers, who the subpoena pertains to.

"California is a safe haven for reproductive rights and gender-affirming care. In the face of ongoing attacks by the Trump Administration, I'm proud to sponsor legislation that strengthens our role as a safe haven," said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. "These medical decisions are deeply personal and should be made by patients with their providers, free from interference by politicians. California will not be intimidated into abandoning our values."

"California has a responsibility to protect people seeking health care that is legal in our state from politically motivated attacks and invasions of privacy. Extremist officials across the country are targeting patients, families and providers for seeking or providing reproductive and transgender health care," said Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang. "AB 1930 strengthens California's ability to serve as a firewall for privacy, safety and medical freedom. We are grateful to Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur for his leadership, to the Legislature for passing this critical legislation and to Governor Newsom for signing it into law. Because of their actions, people can access care without fear that their personal information will be weaponized against them."

AB 1930 now heads to Governor Newsom for consideration.

Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur serves as the Democratic Caucus Chair for the California State Assembly and represents the 51st Assembly District, which includes Universal City, Hollywood, Hancock Park, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Westwood, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and other portions of Los Angeles.

CONTACT: Vienna Montague, (916) 319-2051, [email protected]