SB 1323 strengthens patient access notices and immigration-response procedures
Oct 4, 2026 edition · GC-2026-0220 · Published 2026-10-04 · Version 2 · Final
SB 1323 turns specified visitor procedures and entrance notices into requirements for covered healthcare entities and adds training for requests to notify family when a person is in immigration custody. The strengthened provisions revert to a different statutory version on January 1, 2030.
What happened
California enacted SB 1323 on September 27, strengthening Health and Safety Code sections 24250 and 24251. Covered healthcare provider entities must establish or amend procedures for monitoring, documenting and receiving visitors; the amended provision removes the prior “to the extent possible” qualification. It also replaces encouragement to post a notice with a requirement for a “notice to authorities” at the facility’s main public entrances. The notice states that access to nonpublic areas for immigration enforcement requires state or federal law or a valid physical judicial warrant or court order. The bill defines a main public entrance as a singular, facility-designated primary access point used by patients and visitors to enter the main health facility building. The enactment is the event reported here; the applicable commencement of these provisions must be confirmed separately.
The amended text retains immediate escalation of immigration-enforcement access and document requests to management, administration or legal counsel. Areas used for treatment, care or discussion of protected health information must be designated nonpublic, and the access restriction continues to include the state- or federal-law exception and a warrant or order specifically granting access. Staff and relevant volunteers must also be informed how to respond when a person in immigration custody requests notification of a family member or designated support person about their current location. The strengthened versions expire on January 1, 2030; replacement sections then restore the qualified visitor-procedure duty and encouraged notice language while retaining core escalation and nonpublic-area protections.
Scope and timing
- Authority status
- Final
- Applicability
- Potentially applicable
- Audience
- Health systems, Provider networks, Health-tech
- Jurisdiction
- California
Why it matters
Front-desk, security and clinical staff need the same process for routing requests and protecting treatment areas. The notice requirement, documentation procedures and family-notification training are distinct operational tasks. The 2030 replacement provisions also mean that the sunset should not be described as eliminating all access and escalation protections.
Recommended action
Confirm the applicable commencement before treating the new provisions as current duties. Prepare the following for implementation at that commencement: Designate the relevant main public entrance and review the notice against the statutory wording. Assign ownership for visitor documentation, immediate escalation and staff and volunteer training, including family-location notification requests. Have counsel reconcile the process with controlling law and record the January 1, 2030 statutory reversion for later policy review.
Sources
- SB1323 enacted final textOfficial · California Legislature · 2026-09-27 · Source review 2026-10-05
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