The California Assembly passed SB 966 with no votes in opposition, and the Senate concurred with the House version on a vote of 37-1, sending the often-amended legislation to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) desk for his action. The current language creates oversight authority for the Department of Insurance with reporting requirements pertaining to fees and rebates, establishes a PBM licensing process effective Jan. 1, 2027, with fees designated to a Pharmacy Benefit Manager Fund to sustain the oversight program, prohibits discrimination against non-PBM-owned or affiliated pharmacies and requires equal reimbursement, and creates enforcement authority for the department, including the power to fine and audit PBMs and to maintain the potential role of the attorney general for pursuing additional enforcement actions.
NCPA
