California Bill Would Slow Subpoenas for Abortion and Trans Care Records

Overview

• AB 1930 would bar providers and businesses from handing over records tied to abortion or gender-affirming care until they notify the state attorney general, the patients, and the clinicians named.
• The measure requires notice to the attorney general within seven days, adds a 30-day review window before compliance, and sets fines up to $15,000 per violation for breaking these rules.
• The bill passed its first hearing on a party-line vote and now heads to the Assembly Public Safety Committee for debate.
• Constitutional scholars and a federal official warn the plan likely conflicts with the Supremacy Clause because it could block or slow federal investigations that use subpoenas.
• The push follows federal subpoenas for youth gender-care records at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and an HHS inspector general probe at Rady Children’s that preceded its pause of most services for minors, with supporters including Attorney General Rob Bonta and Equality California and critics such as the state chamber of commerce and a detransitioner who say it could shield negligent care and force conflicts with federal law.