Assembly Bill 116 (Committee on Budget, Chapter 21, Statutes of 2025) instructs the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to adopt emergency regulations establishing staffing standards specific to acute psychiatric hospitals and requirements to determine appropriate staffing based on patient acuity and care needs no later than January 31, 2026. CDPH held multiple stakeholder meetings and solicited written public comments for consideration in establishing staffing requirements.

CDPH has received a significant amount of feedback on several points in the proposed APH emergency regulations and is evaluating that feedback. CDPH expects to adopt emergency regulations under Health and Safety Code section 1276.4 on June 1, 2026. APHs are advised to continue recruiting, hiring and training staff in anticipation of nurse-to-patient ratios being effective June 1, 2026. Such ratios are not expected to be less than those contained in proposed draft regulatory language already made public in AFL 25-37.

If you have any questions about this AFL, please email the CHCQ Regulation Development Section at: CHCQRegulations@cdph.ca.gov.

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Sincerely,

Original signed by Mandi Posner​

Mandi Posner
Deputy Director