California CA
No banNo state law restricts puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones or surgery for minors.
Last verified: 13 Oct 2026
Medical care for minorsNo ban
No state law restricts puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones or surgery for minors.
Civ. Code Title 1.81.7
Medicaid and CHIPState grant, not yet available
From 13 Oct 2026, California will stop using Medi-Cal and CHIP to pay for puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgery for the ages the federal rule covers. It plans to pay for those services with state funds through an HCAI grant. That grant is not yet available. Members already taking cross-sex hormones may stay on Medi-Cal payment through 12 Apr 2027. A federal CMS final rule (13 Aug 2026) prohibits federal Medicaid and CHIP funding for these procedures for patients under 18 (Medicaid) and under 19 (CHIP).
42 C.F.R. 441.800–802, 457.476 (91 Fed. Reg. 52406)
California HCAI — grant program for providers (not yet available)
State employee coverageCovers
State employee health plans explicitly cover gender-transition procedures.
California state-employee health plan document (calpers.ca.gov)
SportsBy gender identity
Education Code § 221.5(f) lets students take part in sex-segregated programs and activities, including athletics, and use facilities consistent with their gender identity.
Ed. Code § 221.5(f)
FacilitiesBy gender identity
Education Code § 221.5(f) allows students to use facilities consistent with their gender identity.
Ed. Code § 221.5(f)
Pronouns and parent noticeNotice barred
AB 1955 (2024) prohibits school policies that require staff to disclose a student's gender identity to parents without the student's consent.
AB 1955 (2024)
CurriculumGender-identity content required
State law requires curricula to include the contributions of LGBT people.
LGBTQ-inclusive curricular standards. See SB48 (2011).
Definition of sexNo state law
No state statute defines sex in biological terms across state law.
No state law identified (statute review, Oct 2026)
Identity documentsSelf-ID with X
SB 179 (2017) allows a birth-certificate sex-marker change by affidavit and adds a nonbinary 'X' option.
SB 179 (2017)
Shield lawShield law
State law limits cooperation with out-of-state legal actions over these procedures when they are lawful in the state.
Civ. Code Title 1.81.7
AdultsNo state law
No state law restricts adult access to, or public funding of, gender-transition procedures.
No state law identified (statute review, Oct 2026)
DetransitionNo state law
No state law provides an extended limitations period or other remedy specific to detransitioners.
No state law identified
PrisonsBy gender identity on request (statute)
On request, inmates must be housed by gender identity unless there are specific management or security concerns.
Cal. Penal Code § 2606 (SB 132, 2020); CDCR DOM 62080.14
Pending billsNo active bills
No active bills (checked 13 Oct 2026). The 2026 regular session has adjourned (or the legislature does not meet in 2026), so 2025-26 bills are no longer moving. LegiScan search linked.
LegiScan search, checked 13 Oct 2026 (adjourned legislature)
LitigationActive
Plaintiff in Illinois v. HHS (D. Mass., filed 2 Sept 2026) challenging the CMS funding rule.
Complaint, Illinois v. HHS, No. 1:26-cv (D. Mass., filed 2 Sep 2026)
Key datesNone upcoming
No upcoming effective dates or court deadlines were identified.
Review, Oct 2026
Sources
- Civ. Code Title 1.81.7 →
- 42 C.F.R. 441.800–802, 457.476 (91 Fed. Reg. 52406) →
- California HCAI — grant program for providers (not yet available) →
- California state-employee health plan document (calpers.ca.gov) →
- Ed. Code § 221.5(f) →
- AB 1955 (2024) →
- LGBTQ-inclusive curricular standards. See SB48 (2011). →
- SB 179 (2017) →
- Cal. Penal Code § 2606 (SB 132, 2020); CDCR DOM 62080.14 →
- LegiScan search, checked 13 Oct 2026 (adjourned legislature) →
- Complaint, Illinois v. HHS, No. 1:26-cv (D. Mass., filed 2 Sep 2026) →