Understanding AB 150 and AB 190: Updates for California Child Care Providers
California’s 2026 budget trailer bills AB 150 and AB 190 change Health and Safety Code rules for licensed child care centers and family child care homes. AB 150 was signed June 29, 2026. AB 190 was signed September 18, 2026. CDSS summarized the changes in PIN 26-11-CCP.
The changes cover medication, anaphylaxis, health and safety training, mandated reporter training, emergency plans, and temporary absences in family child care homes. Review the full PIN and bill text, and check with your local Child Care Licensing Regional Office.
Medication Administration
AB 150 amended Health and Safety Code section 1596.798. Licensed facilities may give any medication if they have written parent or guardian authorization and written instructions from the child’s health care provider. Instructions must be updated every year.
Anaphylactic Policy
AB 150 amended section 1596.7985. CDSS must create an anaphylactic policy by July 1, 2027, with input from EMSA and the California Department of Education. Starting January 1, 2028, child daycare facilities must follow the policy and give families written notice at enrollment.
The definition of “epinephrine auto-injector” now includes other FDA-approved epinephrine delivery systems. Any FDA-approved system may be used under the policy.
Health and Safety Training
AB 150 and AB 190 amended section 1596.866. Starting October 1, 2027, these people must complete at least 15 hours of health and safety training (plus 1 hour of nutrition, totaling 16 hours) and keep pediatric first aid and CPR current:
All staff who provide care in a child care center
All family child care home licensees
All staff who provide care in a family child care home
Each substitute adult who provides care in a family child care home
They must also complete 12 hours of continuing education each year. Topics include emergency planning, premises safety, safe sleep and SIDS prevention, shaken baby syndrome and child maltreatment prevention, safe transportation, infectious diseases, food and allergic reaction response, hazardous materials, and medication administration with parental consent.
This training is required for licensure.
Mandated Reporter Training
AB 150 amended section 1596.8662. The old exemption for limited English proficiency is gone. All child care providers must complete mandated reporter training and renew it every two years. Online training is available in multiple languages.
Emergency and Disaster Plans
AB 150 added section 1596.868. Starting January 1, 2027, centers and family child care homes must keep an emergency and disaster plan that meets the law’s requirements. Staff and volunteers must be trained on the plan before starting work and every year after. Facilities must run drills at least every quarter, review and update the plan yearly, and share it with parents and local emergency responders when asked. New applicants must submit a plan with their application.
The plan must cover sheltering in place, self-reliance for at least 72 hours (including power failure), relocation (with transportation and at least one site outside the local area), and other required items.
Temporary Absences for Family Child Care Homes
AB 150 and AB 190 changed section 1597.63. A family child care home licensee may be absent no more than 20% of the facility’s monthly care hours. If the home stays open, a qualified substitute adult must be present. Before the substitute works, the licensee must confirm the substitute has a criminal record clearance or exemption, completed required health and safety training (including pediatric first aid, CPR, and preventive health practices), has required immunizations, and meets all other department rules. The licensee must notify parents in writing before the absence (or by the next business day in an emergency) and keep records of compliance.
Next Steps
CDSS may issue interim standards that carry the same weight as regulations until formal rules are adopted. Watch for future PINs, webinars, and notices from Community Care Licensing.
Sources:
CDSS PIN 26-11-CCP: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2026/CCP/PIN%2026-11-CCP.pdf
CDSS AB 150/190 Webinar materials: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/AB%20150.pdf
AB 150 text: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB150
AB 190 text: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB190
Here is how to contact your local Child Care Licensing Regional Office or the Child Care Advocate Program (ChildCareAdvocatesProgram@dss.ca.gov) with questions.
This article is for general information only. Always check current statutes, CDSS guidance, and licensing requirements for your program.
