Acting Governor Eleni Kounalakis Signs Legislation to Support State’s COVID-19 Preparedness

Acting Governor Eleni Kounalakis today signed the first bill of the 2023 California Legislative Session into law. AB 269, an urgency measure by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park), authorizes qualified laboratory personnel to continue solely processing COVID-19 tests and permits COVID-19 testing sites contracted with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to continue dispensing COVID-19 therapeutics until January 2024. The legislation helps to maintain the state’s COVID-19 operational preparedness by codifying two emergency waivers regarding COVID-19 laboratory testing and therapeutics – statutory changes the Newsom Administration called for and the Legislature expedited this session. 

“This measure preserves important tools in the state’s response to the pandemic and will continue to protect public health as California moves forward, focusing on preparedness and support for our communities,” said Acting Governor Kounalakis.   

View Governor Newsom’s Press Release and the full text of the bill.