These new California public health laws could affect you and your family in 2023

Several important health-related bills were passed by lawmakers and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2022, including a measure legalizing human composting and another sanctioning doctors who spread COVID-19 misinformation.

Here’s a quick look at what’s effective Jan. 1.

Protections for gender-affirming care

Transgender youth and their families who travel to California seeking gender-affirming care and the doctors who provide it would be protected from prosecution. SB 107 prohibits removal of a child from their parent or guardian for allowing them to seek that care.

Human Composting

Individuals and their families can turn their deceased bodies into soil after death through “natural organic reduction,” also known as human composting. AB 351, considered by supporters to be an environmentally friendly burial option, was opposed by the Catholic church. California’s public health department is now required to regulate composting facilities.

Spreading medical misinformation

Doctors can be more easily punished by the Medical Board of California for deliberately spreading false information about COVID-19, vaccines and treatment. AB 2098 classifies the distribution of disinformation as “unprofessional conduct,” for which the board could discipline a doctor by public reprimand, probation, suspension, or license revocation.

Nursing home loophole closed

AB 1502: Anyone who wants to run a nursing home will first need a license, effectively closing a loophole that allowed California nursing homes to stay open for years with pending licenses or ones that were outright denied.

This story was originally published December 20, 2022 at 1:01 PM with the headline "These new California public health laws could affect you and your family in 2023."