CA SB1023

Prohibits health care service plans and health insurers from requiring prior authorization or step therapy for antiretroviral drugs, drug devices, and drug products used to prevent HIV/AIDS, including preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and postexposure prophylaxis (PEP)

Requires health plans and insurance policies issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, to cover FDA-approved non-self-administered HIV prevention drugs as both a medical benefit and an outpatient prescription drug benefit

Allows plans to require prior authorization for therapeutic equivalents as long as at least one version of the drug is covered without prior authorization or step therapy

Exempts Medi-Cal managed care plans and specialized policies covering only dental, mental health, vision, or Medicare supplement benefits from these requirements

Introduced by Senator Laird with principal coauthor Assembly Member Mark González on February 10, 2026