CA AB2749

Establishes a financial assistance program administered by the California Health Benefit Exchange for individuals who lose employer-provided health coverage due to strikes, lockouts, or labor disputes, effective July 1, 2023.

Provides qualified individuals with premium assistance and cost-sharing reductions equivalent to those for individuals at 138.1% of federal poverty level, including zero deductibles for covered benefits if the standard benefit design has zero deductibles.

Requires employers and labor organizations to notify the Exchange before coverage is affected by a labor dispute, and authorizes the Exchange to contact them to verify eligibility and determine the status of disputes.

Eliminates the exclusion of financial assistance subsidies from gross income under state tax law (Revenue and Taxation Code Section 17071), making recipients subject to state income tax on amounts received.

Terminates eligibility for financial assistance once the Exchange verifies that employer-provided minimum essential coverage has been reinstated for the individual and their dependents.