IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Assembly Contact: Sulema Landa, [email protected]
Senate Contact: Margaret Hanlon-Gradie, [email protected]
Legislative Women’s Caucus Announces 2026 Priority Bill Package
(SACRAMENTO, CA) — Today, the California Legislative Women’s Caucus (LWC) announced its 2026 legislative package. The package includes 14 member-authored bills selected by a caucus-wide vote. It advances family-centered economic and social equity by supporting caregivers, strengthening women’s rights and workplace protections, expanding safety-net programs, and promoting health and stability for vulnerable families.
“Our 2026 priorities are about fairness, opportunity, and safety for all Californians—especially women and families,” said Legislative Women’s Caucus Chair and Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters). “This bill package, it’s focused on issues that matter to everyone, not just women. I’m proud to work with my colleagues to build a stronger, more equitable future for our communities and the state.”
The package is organized around six core pillars: affordability; childcare and education; public safety and gender-based violence; healthcare access; support for vulnerable communities; and workplace and economic equity.
Workplace & Economic Equity
AB 65 (Aguiar-Curry) - The Pregnancy Leave for Educators Act
“Right now, there’s no paid pregnancy leave for educators in California. If a teacher needs time to recover after pregnancy, they’re forced to use up all their sick leave, if they have any at all. After that, they receive differential pay on their already low salaries,” said Assembly Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters). “AB 65 will change that. It’ll make sure decisions about recovery time are between an educator and their doctor, not by outdated policy.”
AB 2134 (Addis) - Parental Leave for Local Elected Officials
“Californians should be able to both grow their families and serve in local office—full stop. Yet archaic laws are forcing too many moms to publicly divulge their personal health information, publicly ask for their council permission to request family leave, or choose between public service and raising a family. We can fix this,” said Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay). “AB 2134 will ensure that public servants caring for and starting young families are not penalized for doing so.”
SB 1237 (Blakespear) - Pay Equity Enforcement
“California has led the nation on equal pay, but our laws are only as strong as their enforcement. SB 1237 ensures employers can’t treat pay data reporting as optional by increasing penalties and giving the Civil Rights Department the tools it needs to effectively combat wage discrimination, a critical step toward ending persistent wage disparities and delivering real pay equity for women,” said Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas).
Gender Violence & Public Safety
AB 788 (Quirk-Silva) - Rehabilitation and Safety for Incarcerated Women
“California’s prison system still fails to address the unique needs of incarcerated women, who face violence, trauma, neglect, and too often are forgotten. AB 788 is a declaration that incarcerated women will no longer be overlooked, requiring that the California Department of Corrections take action to ensure safer conditions, better policies, and stronger leadership. This is about accountability, respect, and changing the future for women who deserve a second chance,” said Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton).
AB 2434 (Bonta) – Visitor Protections and Safety Act
"When a mother drives hundreds of miles to visit her child and is turned away without so much as a written explanation, we have failed her, we have failed her child, and we have made our communities less safe. The Visitor Protections and Safety Act is about basic dignity: no family should be denied a visit without transparency, and no department that claims to prioritize rehabilitation can afford to shut families out. Decades of research confirms what families already know: in-person connection heals, and AB 2434 puts that truth into law,” said Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland).
SB 1192 (S. Rubio) - The Reclaim Act
“As a survivor, I know firsthand that leaving an abuser does not always mean the abuse ends. Too many survivors are retraumatized when the court system is used as a weapon against them. The Reclaim Act is about restoring dignity, safety, and freedom—and making sure the justice system protects survivors, not their abusers. Survivors should never have to choose between their safety and their right to justice. The Reclaim Act makes clear: our courts are not tools for abuse,” said Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park).
Healthcare & Health Equity
AB 1570 (Wilson) - Healthcare Coverage: Diagnostic Imaging
“I am proud AB 1570 has been chosen as priority legislation by the California Legislative Women’s Caucus,” said Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City). “AB 1570 will eliminate the patient’s out-of-pocket costs for medically necessary diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging such as breast MRIs and ultrasounds, allowing for individuals to receive continued treatment to confirm a cancer diagnosis or rule it out. Currently, the out-of-pocket costs associated with breast imaging procedures can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, deterring individuals from continuing their screenings as they must make significant financial sacrifices. This leads individuals to forgo further testing that can confirm or rule out cancer and in some cases is life-saving treatment.”
AB 2066 (C. Rodriguez) - Pregnancy - Qualifying Life Event
“Pregnancy shouldn’t be a barrier to receiving care. AB 2066 ensures people can access prenatal coverage when they need it—not when an enrollment window allows it. This bill is about supporting healthy pregnancies and healthy families,” said Assemblywoman Celeste Rodriguez (D-San Fernando).
Vulnerable Communities
AB 1628 (M. Rodriguez) - The Keeping Infants from Danger (KID) Act
“As our understanding of postpartum recovery continues to deepen, it’s clear our laws must reflect that experience. AB 1628, or the Keeping Infants from Danger (KID) Act, expands the Safe Surrender window to 30 days, giving mothers the time to make thoughtful decisions while navigating the physical and emotional challenges after childbirth,” said Assemblymember Michelle Rodriguez (D-Ontario).
AB 1602 (B. Rubio) - Foster Youth: Disaster Aid Assistance
“Natural disasters affect entire communities, but foster youth and their caregivers face unique disruptions and instability in crisis. While the state is responsible for meeting the needs of children in foster care, this population rarely receives additional support for unexpected expenses following a disaster. AB 1602 helps ensure that resources are available immediately to reduce additional trauma, mitigate unnecessary stress and maintain stability for these young people,” said Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park).
Childcare & Education Equity
AB 1590 (Ransom) - Career Technical Education Full Funding
“Every state approved dollar that goes unallocated to Career Technical Education is a disservice to our students. I want to thank the Legislative Women's Caucus for making this a priority and for their leadership in supporting our students' success. CTE programs provide meaningful, hands-on experiences that expose students to a wide range of career paths. As California continues to prioritize career readiness, CTE is a critical investment proven to prepare students for both college and the workforce. AB 1590 simply ensures that when the state appropriates funding for CTE, those dollars are fully directed to that purpose,” said Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom (D-Tracy).
AB 1981 (Aguiar-Curry) - The True Cost of Child Care Act
“Childcare is essential to our workforce and economy, yet too many families are struggling to afford it while providers are underpaid,” said Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters). “AB 1981 creates a clear path forward to make sure reimbursement rates reflect the true cost of care, so our families can access the care they need and providers are fairly compensated.”
Addressing Poverty & Affordability
AB 1755 (Sharp-Collins) - Ending CalWORKs Work Hour Restrictions
“AB 1755 is about standing up for women and families who are doing everything right and still being punished. The 100-hour eligibility rule punishes working mothers and destabilizes households by cutting off support simply because a parent works more. With rising costs, people are still struggling to survive. If we truly value families, we must end this outdated policy and build a CalWORKs system that supports women, protects children, and recognizes the realities of today’s economy,” said Assemblywoman LaShae Sharp-Collins (D-San Diego).
SB 1030 (Smallwood-Cuevas) - CalWORKs "Man in the House" Statute Repeal
“The unrelated adult male rule is part of a long legacy of punitive welfare policies rooted in harmful stereotypes. These policies have disproportionately harmed families of color and reinforced stigma, rather than addressing real barriers such as wage inequity and housing instability. SB 1030 represents a critical step toward dismantling these outdated practices and advancing a more equitable, dignity-centered safety net that genuinely supports family stability and economic mobility,” said Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles).
“I am proud of my colleagues’ dedication toward helping the most vulnerable in our communities, whether through expanding educational and professional opportunities for women and girls, or making life in California more affordable. This priority bill package shows that women are taking the lead in upholding the dignity of working women, women leading their households, women patients, survivors of intimate partner violence, and incarcerated women and their family members. Together, our leadership can make a better California not just for women and girls, but for everyone,” said Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley).
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The California Legislative Women’s Caucus is a 59-member bipartisan body of women elected leaders from the California Assembly and Senate. The Caucus also includes the five women who hold constitutional office. Women in the legislature account for 49 percent of the legislative body.