The Kennedy Forum is a co-sponsor of the law, which enshrines many gold standard protections into state law.
California is joining a growing number of states leading the way on mental health parity, strengthening protections to help ensure that people can access the mental health and substance use disorder care they need.
Today, Gov. Newsom signed a range of legislation today including AB 2011, the Behavioral Health Parity Protection Act, helping ensure that insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorder care is no more restrictive than coverage for physical health care. Importantly, the legislation also strengthens the ability to implement and enforce parity requirements. The Kennedy Forum is proud to have co-sponsored the bill alongside the Steinberg Institute and the California Department of Insurance.
The legislation comes at an important moment for mental health parity. While the Trump administration is reconsidering the federal government’s 2024 final parity rule, federal officials have signaled a continued focus on identifying and removing barriers to mental health and substance use disorder care. The Kennedy Forum thanked Sec. Aronowitz for the guidance and continues to work with the administration on shared priorities.
For almost two decades, The Kennedy Forum has been working across administrations for parity gains like these in California and across the country.
“We have spent decades learning how to help people with mental health and addiction challenges live healthier, fuller lives. I’m grateful that our laws are catching up,” said Rebecca O. Bagley, President and CEO of The Kennedy Forum. “The Behavioral Health Parity Protection Act strengthens access to care in California, from early intervention to treatment and recovery, and I’m grateful to everyone who helped secure its passage. Stronger parity will lead to a healthier workforce, thriving communities, and improved well-being throughout the state.”
California’s progress on parity is part of a broader effort to strengthen mental health and addiction care across the lifespan. In recent years, the state has advanced investments in children and youth mental health, prevention and early intervention, and new protections addressing the effects of social media and emerging technologies on young people.
Work with The Kennedy Forum to Augment Parity in Your State
In 2025, The Kennedy Forum published its State Parity Gold Standards to help any state access comprehensive information about how to strengthen parity implementation and enforcement, including in states like California. Additionally, we work with state regulators in person from coast to coast to help more states advance and enforce strong parity protections and ensure that these laws translate into meaningful access to care.
If you are a regulator, state leader, or advocate who would like to meaningfully participate in strengthening parity or mental health guardrails for emerging issues, please email us.
If you would like more information on parity tools, resources, and assistance, please sign up for our emails.
