CA AB997

Increases fees for "Have a Heart, Be a Star, Help Our Kids" specialty license plates beginning July 1, 2027, with personalized plates rising from $50 to $90 for initial issuance and $40 to $80 for renewal, and department-assigned plates rising from $20 to $40 for initial issuance and $15 to $30 for renewal

Redirects 50% of fees collected before July 1, 2027 to state and local childcare provider licensure, oversight, recruitment, training, and development, with the remainder going to First 5 county commissions for childcare safety and health programs

Allocates 50% of fees collected on or after July 1, 2027 to childhood unintentional injury prevention programs distributed through First 5 county commissions (75%), State Department of Public Health (17%), and the Safer California Project nonprofit (8%)

Dedicates the remaining 50% of post-July 2027 fees to child abuse prevention, with 90% going to county children's trust funds and 10% to the State Children's Trust Fund for public education and training

Expands covered childhood injury prevention categories to include sports-related cardiac arrest, mental health-related unintentional injuries, and home fire/disaster planning in addition to existing categories like drowning, vehicular safety, and poison control