AB 1326 Going to Governor’s Desk, Will Protect Individual and Public Health
SACRAMENTO, CA — The California State Assembly today voted in concurrence and passed Assembly Bill (AB) 1326 authored by Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens (D-Silicon Valley) sending the bill to the Governor’s desk. If signed into law, AB 1326 will help protect individual Californian’s and the public’s health by enshrining the right to wear a health mask in public places.
Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens shared, “We do not need to wait for another global pandemic to know that a properly worn health mask prevents the spread of disease and enables wearers to protect their own health and the public’s health. The right to wear a mask is particularly important for immunocompromised individuals like my belated brother who had cancer and senior citizens whose health is more fragile, so I applaud my colleagues for passing AB 1326 to protect the health of all Californians.”
A properly worn health mask is scientifically proven to reduce the transmission of communicable respiratory diseases like influenza, COVID-19, and the common cold, as well as to reduce respiratory conditions caused by wildfire smoke inhalation.
AB 1326 is based on a legislative idea submitted by a constituent and is supported by organizations including Disability Rights California and the Health Officers Association of California.
AB 1326 will be delivered to the Governor’s desk for his signature; it passed the State Assembly on concurrence today after passing the State Senate on September 8, 2025.
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Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens represents the Silicon Valley in the California State Assembly for District 26. He serves on the Assembly Committees on Budget, Business and Professions, Communications and Conveyance, Rules, Transportation, and Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services. Assemblymember Ahrens is the Co-Chair of the California Legislative Technology & Innovation Caucus, and a member of the California Legislative Jewish and Bay Area Caucuses.
