December 5th, 2025
From disaster aid for foster youth, to improving kids’ mental health online to holding insurance companies accountable for denying kids’ coverage, 2025 was a busy and productive year fighting to pass great kids’ policy ideas. Children Now sponsored or co-sponsored multiple bills this past year, working side by side with lawmakers across the political spectrum to lift up the issues affecting kids and navigate bills through the legislature. And while there are still many more fights on the horizon, our work resulted in multiple new laws that will positively impact California kids and families.
Bills We Got Across the Finish Line
Creating a Safer Online Environment for Youth (AB 1043)
The mental health of youth is in crisis and the challenges families have faced for generations are exacerbated and amplified by modern technology. Authored by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks and sponsored by Children Now, this bill fought to require manufacturers of devices such as cell phones to verify a device user’s age and share that age with all online products and services that require age verification for access.
Result: The Governor signed AB 1043 into law! This important measure enhances digital safety protections for children and youth, promoting mental health and ensuring online experiences that are age-appropriate and free from harmful behaviors. You can learn more about AB 1043 in our recently placed op-ed.
Strengthening Home Visiting for Families with Kids Prenatal Through Age 5 (AB 607)
Home visiting programs are instrumental for kids’ development in their first critical years, providing needed support from trained professionals to new and expectant parents. Authored by Assemblymember Celeste Rodríguez and co-sponsored by Children Now and the County Welfare Directors Association, this bill fought to extend the eligibility age of the CALWorks Home Visiting Program.
Result: The Governor signed AB 607 into law! This important measure expands access to CalWORKs Home Visiting Program services. Families can now participate for up to three to five years (an increase from the previous 24-month limit), ensuring they receive the long-term support needed to thrive. You can learn more about AB 607 in our recent blog post.
Strengthening Foster Youth’s Support Helpline (AB 898)
The Family Urgent Response System (FURS) is a dedicated helpline for foster youth and caregivers in California, offering 24/7 in-person support that provides stability and keeps foster families together. Authored by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan and co-sponsored by Children Now and the County Welfare Directors Association, this bill fought to clarify that FURS teams can be sent without first needing a call to the helpline, as well as help prevent kids from entering foster care by allowing FURS to support families who are receiving family preservation or voluntary or court-ordered maintenance.
Result: The Governor signed AB 898 into law and it will go into effect on January 1, 2026! This important measure strengthens FURS and provides proactive support to families to help prevent foster care entry. Children Now will work with the State on guidance and messaging for counties as they implement the expansion of this program, which will now include families involved in hotline investigations and those receiving family preservation and maintenance services.
Bills That Were One Signature Away
Delivering Disaster Aid to Foster Youth (AB 689)
When natural disasters strike, kids in foster care don’t always get the support they need to recover, such as temporary housing, transportation, and replacing their most meaningful and essential possessions. Authored by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio and sponsored by Children Now, this bill fought to establish a statewide Child Welfare Disaster Response Fund to make sure resources are available to disaster-impacted youth in foster care and their caregivers.
Result: Despite passing out of the California Senate with unanimous support, the Governor vetoed AB 689. Children Now will continue advocating for the establishment of a Child Welfare Disaster Response Fund, to ensure that resources are immediately available to disaster-impacted communities to meet the urgent needs of children and youth in foster care and their caregivers. You can learn more about AB 689 in our recent blog post.
Issues We Will Continue to Work on in the Future
While our hope was for all our sponsored and co-sponsored bills to pass this year, for many our fight must continue next year and beyond:
Getting Kids Health Care They’re Entitled To (SB 363)
Too often kids across California are wrongfully denied health care by insurance companies, forcing families to fight health plans to get care. Authored by Senator Scott Wiener and co-sponsored by Children Now, the California Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the California Chronic Care Coalition, this bill fought to require health plans to publicly report all denials of surgical, medical, and behavioral health care and allow California to fine health plans that erroneously deny care. You can learn more about SB 363 in our recent blog post.
Improving Kids’ Teeth with Fluoride (AB 350)
Fluoride varnish has proven very effective at preventing cavities for kids, but with fewer than half of kids in Medi-Cal seeing a dentist every year, many kids are not receiving this crucial treatment. Authored by Assemblymember Mia Bonta and co-sponsored by Children Now, this bill fought to allow more kids to get fluoride treatment at school by letting those working for or under contract with a Medi-Cal doctor or dentist to apply fluoride varnish and get reimbursed, while also requiring Medi-Cal and commercial plans to cover this benefit in primary care settings for all kids under 21 years old. You can learn more about AB 350 in our recent blog post.
Creating Better Paths to Become a Teacher (AB 291)
California ranks 49th out of all states in teacher-to-student ratio, with a central reason being the ongoing teacher shortage caused in part by high costs of the credentialing process, burnout, and a lack of training programs. Authored by Assemblymember Mike Gipson and sponsored by Children Now, this bill fought to help create teacher apprenticeship programs that provide mentorship and compensation while opening up opportunities for many more qualified candidates to become teachers. You can learn more about AB 291 in our recent blog post.
Developing Housing for Kids Experiencing Homelessness (SB 492)
A quarter of California’s foster youth report having experienced homelessness and couch surfing between ages 18-21, causing instability that too often leads to further trauma, worse physical and mental health, and greater barriers to education and employment. Authored by Senator Caroline Menjivar and co-sponsored by Children Now, the California Coalition for Youth, and the Alliance for Children’s Rights, this bill fought to create a dedicated Youth Housing Bond Fund to combat youth homelessness and allow public agencies and community-based organizations to apply for bond funds for housing and youth center projects.
