Legislative Advocacy
Patients receiving care from members of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) benefit from enhanced quality and safety.
The Latest:
Lawmaker Support for Our Kaiser Contract Campaign
UNAC/UHCP–Sponsored Bills Signed into Law
UNAC/UHCP secured two major legislative victories in 2025, as Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law bills that strengthen patient safety, hold hospitals accountable, and expand nurses’ authority across California.
Senate Bill 596 (Menjivar): Nurse Staffing Ratio Enforcement
SB 596, written by Senator Caroline Menjivar, closes dangerous loopholes in California’s nurse-to-patient staffing ratio laws by clearly defining a hospital’s “on-call list” as only nurses formally scheduled for on-call shifts or assigned to float pools—ending hospitals’ ability to claim phantom staffing resources. The law prohibits contacting off-duty nurses not on call, treats each day of noncompliance as a separate violation, and establishes clear investigation timelines for the California Department of Public Health, delivering real enforcement and accountability that protects patients and nurses.
Assembly Bill 876 (Flora): CRNA Independent Practice
AB 876, written by Assemblymember Heath Flora, authorizes Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists to provide complete anesthesia care—preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative—without physician supervision. By recognizing CRNAs’ advanced training and affirming their independent authority across health care settings, the law expands access to anesthesia services, particularly in rural and underserved communities, and ensures patients receive timely, high-quality care.
Together, these laws demonstrate the power of union advocacy to advance patient safety, strengthen the nursing profession, and put health care decisions in the hands of qualified clinicians.
Fighting Attacks on Medicaid and Labor
Capitol Weekly podcast guest: Political and Legislative Director Frank Torres
Making A Difference
Legislative Wins
Safe Work Environments for Better Care
SB 327 (2015) – Protecting 12-Hour Shifts for Nurses
Preserves the ability for nurses to work 12-hour shifts—an important scheduling option that supports continuity of care, reduces handoff errors, and increases patient familiarity with care teams.
SB 1299 (2014) – Preventing Violence in Healthcare Settings
Requires hospitals to implement workplace violence prevention plans, helping reduce the risk of assaults on healthcare workers so they can focus on delivering safe, uninterrupted care.
SB 17 (2017) – Drug Price Transparency to Protect Access
Increases transparency on drug price hikes, making essential medications more affordable and available to patients—especially in emergencies and chronic care situations.
Safe Staffing and Pandemic Protections
SB 227 (2019) – Enforcing Nurse-to-Patient Ratios
Empowers regulators to fine hospitals that violate safe staffing laws. Enforced ratios ensure nurses aren’t overwhelmed—critical to preventing errors, hospital-acquired infections, and avoidable deaths.
SB 1159 (2020) – Protecting Healthcare Workers During COVID-19
Provides automatic workers’ compensation coverage to frontline workers who contract COVID-19, keeping infected staff home and preventing further spread to vulnerable patients.
Expanding Safe Access to Care
SB 1237 (2020) – Nurse Midwives Can Provide Routine Care Independently
Allows certified nurse midwives to provide prenatal and reproductive care without physician supervision, expanding access to safe maternal care and reducing delays in treatment.
AB 890 (2020) – Nurse Practitioners Improve Access and Continuity
Grants experienced nurse practitioners the authority to practice independently in underserved settings. This helps reduce ER visits and improves chronic disease management—especially in primary care deserts.
Strengthening the Future Nursing Workforce
AB 1577 (2024) – Prioritizing Clinical Training for Nursing Students
Ensures hospitals partner with community colleges and CSU programs to offer clinical placements. More training slots means more skilled nurses at the bedside—boosting safety for future patients.
As dedicated healthcare professionals, we’re proud to have successfully stood up for patient safety, professional standards, and the integrity of care by helping defeat proposals that would have placed professionals and the communities we serve at risk.
Protected Patient and Nurse Privacy
We helped defeat SB 1111, which would have required nurses’ home addresses to be posted online—needlessly compromising the personal safety of frontline caregivers. Patient care is strongest when healthcare workers can focus on healing, not on threats to their privacy and security.
Defended Clinical Expertise on the Pharmacy Board
We stopped SB 716, which would have weakened pharmacists’ voices on the Board of Pharmacy. Patients deserve a regulatory board guided by professionals who understand the real-world implications of medication safety, access, and oversight.
Preserved Safe Pharmacy Staffing Standards
We blocked SB 617, which sought to dangerously increase the pharmacist-to-technician ratio from 1:2 to 1:3. That change could have led to rushed medication preparation and reduced oversight—risking patient safety in every prescription filled. We stood firm for accuracy, accountability, and safe patient care.