AB 144: What California’s New Vaccine Law Really Does

1. How AB 144 Became Law

• Last-minute maneuver: In the final two days of the 2025 legislative session, AB 144 was “gutted and amended” into a 66-page budget trailer bill—no policy committee hearings, no floor debate, and virtually no opportunity for public comment before passage.
  
  

• Governor signed: It is now law and takes effect immediately.
  
  

2. Key Provisions

• Freezes Federal Guidance at 1/1/25.
  California starts with the federal vaccine and preventive-care recommendations (CDC, ACIP, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, HRSA) as they exist on January 1, 2025. Future federal updates are not automatically adopted.
  
  

• CDPH Takes All Authority.
  After that date, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) can modify or add vaccine requirements and other preventive-care mandates. CDPH is only directed to consider advice from professional groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and others—it is no longer bound to follow the CDC or ACIP.
  
  

• Immediate Effect.
  Any CDPH update becomes effective the day it is published, with no standard public-rulemaking process.
  
  

• Medical-Exemption Oversight.
  CDPH must identify medical-exemption forms that don’t meet AAP criteria and can revoke exemptions or tighten standards without going through the Administrative Procedure Act or normal appeals process.
  
  

• Expanded Liability Shield (through 2030).
  Doctors, pharmacists, and other providers are protected from ordinary-negligence lawsuits for giving any vaccine required by state law or CDPH guidance, unless there is gross negligence or willful misconduct.
  
  

3. What This Means for Families

• State-controlled vaccine schedule.
  Future school-entry or childcare vaccine requirements can be added by CDPH without a new vote of the Legislature.
  
  

• Stricter medical exemptions.
  Physicians must meet AAP-aligned standards; CDPH can overturn exemptions it deems out of step.
  
  

• Less public input.
  Because CDPH actions take effect upon publication, families will have limited time to comment or challenge.
  
  

4. Personal-Belief Exemptions Remain for New Vaccines

• SB 277 (2015) still applies.
  If CDPH adds a vaccine to the school or childcare list that was not required before January 1, 2016, parents may still file a personal-belief exemption (PBE) for that specific vaccine.
  Examples: If CDPH were to mandate a future RSV or new COVID-19 vaccine, a PBE would be allowed for that vaccine only.
  
  

• No change for older requirements.
  Vaccines that were already mandatory before 2016 (MMR, DTaP, etc.) remain non-exempt except for narrow medical reasons.
  
  

5. Ramifications

• Potential confusion with national standards.
  California could adopt requirements that differ from federal guidance, creating conflicts for schools, clinics, and families.
  
  

• Legal gray zones.
  Expanded state liability protection may complicate federal vaccine-injury claims if California requires a vaccine not recognized nationally.
  
  

• Public-trust concerns.
  Rapid CDPH updates without public hearings may fuel skepticism and reduce transparency.
  
  

6. What Parents and Advocates Can Do

• Stay Alert

  • Follow Informed Policy Advocates or legislative-tracking services for real-time alerts.

    Subscribe to CDPH email updates and track the forthcoming “baseline recommendations” page. 

    • https://cdph-marketing.powerappsportals.com/OfficeofComms/registrationpage/

    • https://cdph-marketing.powerappsportals.com/OfficeofComms/newsrelease-signup/

    • https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/School/tk-12-immunizations.aspx#
      
      

• Act Quickly on Notices

• When CDPH proposes a new requirement, respond immediately to any comment period or public briefing, even if informal.
  
  

• Engage Elected Officials

• Legislators can still introduce bills to override or modify CDPH actions if constituents demand it.
  
  

• Maintain Documentation

• Keep detailed medical records. If a child has a condition that may warrant an exemption, be prepared with supporting evidence.
  
  

• Understand Your Rights

  • If a new vaccine is added, remember the SB 277 personal-belief exemption applies only to that newly added vaccine.

Summary

AB 144 transfers vaccine-policy power from federal advisory bodies to a single state agency, lets that agency act without the usual public-rulemaking process, and tightens control over medical exemptions. As written it reduces transparency, tightens exemptions, and creates legal uncertainty.  While California families still retain the right to a personal-belief exemption for any new school vaccine requirement, staying informed and ready to comment on CDPH actions is essential to protecting that option.