SB 1377 and Quarterly Update
As we move through the 2026 California legislative session, we’re feeling hopeful and energized. We’ve been able to make meaningful progress on issues that matter to everyday Californians, and we are grateful for your support along the way. While there’s still work ahead, we’re proud to share a few updates on our efforts and an important wins from this quarter:
Win #1: We have been working with well-respected Senators on both sides of the aisle to obtain information from the California Department of Public Health. As a solution focused organization, it is important that we have data and accurate information. Important lawmakers see our concerns regarding current school vaccine mandate policies, and they are working with us to review and address policies that have chilling effects, or negative consequences, for California families. They are corresponding with the CDPH on our behalf, both formally and informally. This is an important step forward in our strategy to fix the broken policies that are discriminating against medically vulnerable children and excluding them from their civil right to access educational opportunities.
Win #2: We’ve have been going up to Sacramento regularly, having meetings and educating our lawmakers and their staff about the things that matter to you and your family. SB 1377 is the first piece of legislation in California introduced to address our concerns as a movement. Jessica had a “one on one” meeting with Senator Brian Jones about our mission and goals several months ago. He shared that this was an issue he found important, and now the is a bill that addresses the medical exemption issues and the discrimination that families face by being excluded from attending school and accessing medical care.
We have been actively lobbying on these issues with multiple legislators, including Senator Jones, other key senators, as well as the committee members who will hear the bill. We are grateful they are listening, considering our concerns and taking action to address what needs to be fixed. We hope the senate colleagues will stand for what is right for doctors and the people of California and vote yes on SB 1377.
Bill Summary:
Read bill analysis here.
SB 1377 is a bill introduced this year to update medical exemption policies and protect doctors and patients from undue discrimination. The bill essentially repeals SB 276/SB 714 (2019, Pan), ensures licensed physicians and surgeons are protected, and prevents discrimination and penalties for the medically fragile California children who need medical exemptions to attend school.
Next steps for the bill:
The bill will be heard in the Senate Health Committee on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 1:30PM. You can view the Senate Health Committee hearing here, it will first on the agenda. From there it will be heard in the Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee, and then in the Senate Appropriations Committee before it would get to the Senate floor for a vote from all 40 senators. The best way to formally submit your letters of support is through the legislative portal. Anyone wishing to submit a position on a California Legislative bill can use this site. Please note there are three categories of registrants:
Registered Lobbyists with the Secretary of State
Organizations – an individual affiliated with an organization
Individuals
*Be sure to submit letters by the deadline set for each committee. If you miss the deadline, you can still submit the letter but it won’t be included in bill analysis.
You an also use our one click action campaign to submit your support to legislators via email. Once it passes the Senate, it will move on to hearings in the Assembly. For the bill to get even one hearing will already be a huge win, as it will allow data and expert witness testimony to go onto public record, setting a foundation for future legislative action.
Doing the work:
We have been working diligently for the last 14 months on this particular issue. We have strategically and intentionally lobbied the entire Senate Health Committee Members along with their staff.
Senate health committee: Darrlene with Senator Shannon Grove & Senator Megan Dahle; Andi (IPA Board Member), Kris, Darrlene and Jessica with Senator Suzette Valladares (Health Co-Chair); Jessica and Darrlene with Senator Sasha Renee Perez; Kris and Jessica with Senator Caroline Menjivar; Jessica and Darrlene with Senator Melissa Hurtado; Jessica and Senator Lena Gonzales; Jessica, Darrlene and Kris and Senator Steve Padilla; Jessica and Darrlene with Senator Maria Elena Durazo; Jessica with Senator Anna Caballero
Why this is important:
We are making a real impact! This is the first bill introduced to address constituent concerns since vaccine mandate policies were made more strict with law changes in 2012 with AB2109, SB277 in 2015, and SB276 and SB714 in 2019. In previous years, our concerns as a movement were overshadowed by a focus on strict public health policy. Over a decade later, California’s lawmakers are now seeing the data that supports our concerns that overly strict mandate policies breed discrimination and exclusion. Our perseverance and strategic approach is working to make legislative change an achievable goal.
Informed Policy Advocates at the Capitol:
IPA team meetings: Darrlene with Senator Tim Grayson; Jessica Cabrera with Patty Hackett and former Assemblymember Jose Medina; Jessica Cabrera, Patty Hackett and Lori Sanchez; IPA With Assemblymember Tina McKinnor; Kris Dukes and Jessica Cabera thanking Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel for his bills to make sure our food is healthier.
Networking:
Jessica and Patty with Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo; Darrlene with Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva; Dr. Shirley Weber, Secretary of State and Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva; Jessica with Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo and woman of the year, Patty Hackett; Kris and Jessica with Senator Susan Valladares; IPA with Elaine Cullotti Gubernational Candidate; Darrlene with the staff of Assemblymember Avelino Valencia
Darrlene, Kris, and Jessica with IPA’s registered lobbyists, The Sheehy Strategy Group.
Your support is an investment for change:
What makes this even more meaningful is how we achieved this. We are a small organization working with limited resources, but with a lot of determination. Every step forward has been powered by people who care deeply about their families, their jobs, and the future of their communities.
So many families know that things aren’t working the way it should in California, but don’t always have the time or ability to get involved. That’s where we step in. We work to make sure those voices are heard where decisions are actually made. To keep showing up in Sacramento and to do even more we need your help.
Funding two registered lobbyists and multiple trips to Sacramento, staying engaged with lawmakers and their staff at the Capitol, and pushing forward real solutions all require resources. Right now, we’re doing everything we can with what we have. With additional financial support, we can continue building key relationships, expand our efforts to accomplish more of our strategic projects, and continue movement forward for the communities that too often get overlooked.
If you’ve ever felt like your voice isn’t being heard, fueling our efforts is a way to change that. Now, more than ever, we need to work with our state legislators to fix California’s policies. Together, we can keep building momentum and make sure California works better for the people who keep it running every day.
With appreciation and optimism,
Darrlene Alquiza
CEO and Executive Director of Government Affairs
Informed Policy Advocates
Informed Policy Advocates team (Erin, Rebecca, Jessica, Darrlene and Kris) with Dr. Shannon Kroner, Gubernatorial Candidate Elaine Culotti, and LA Mayor candidate Tish Hyman.
Rob Schneider stands with Informed Policy Advocates. Click here for video.
Dr. Drew Pinsky cares about public health policy issues.
Catch us on Ask Dr. Drew on April 15, 2026 at 5PM! We will be giving Dr. Drew Pinsky, MD the latest update on SB 1377 after Wednesday’s hearing. Make sure to tune in!
Stay connected with us for more updates and opportunities to get involved.
Donate today to support the lobby team helping California families. Every gift makes a difference. Thank you.