Existing law finds and declares that prenatal and postpartum care, among other things, are essential services necessary to ensure maternal health. Existing law establishes the State Department of Public Health, and vests the department with certain duties relating to maternal health, including maintaining a program of maternal and child health, as provided.

This bill would require the department to include on its internet website information advising individuals to discuss pelvic floor concerns with their health care provider during their postpartum care visit.

Existing law finds and declares that prenatal and postpartum care, among other things, are essential services necessary to ensure maternal health. Existing law establishes the State Department of Public Health, and vests the department with certain duties relating to maternal health, including maintaining a program of maternal and child health, as provided.

This bill would require the department to include on its internet website information advising individuals to discuss pelvic floor concerns with their health care provider during their postpartum care visit.

Existing law finds and declares that prenatal and postpartum care, among other things, are essential services necessary to ensure maternal health. Existing law establishes the State Department of Public Health, and vests the department with certain duties relating to maternal health, including maintaining a program of maternal and child health, as provided.

This bill would require the department to post information regarding pelvic floor therapy resources to its internet website, as provided. include on its internet website information advising individuals to discuss pelvic floor concerns with their health care provider during their postpartum care visit.

Existing law finds and declares that prenatal and postpartum care, among other things, are essential services necessary to ensure maternal health. Existing law establishes the State Department of Public Health, and vests the department with certain duties relating to maternal health, including maintaining a program of maternal and child health, as provided.

This bill would require the department to post information regarding pelvic floor therapy resources to its internet website, as provided.

CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS

CSA1 Bill Id:AB 1910

Author:(Boerner)

As Amended Ver:June 15, 2026

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Requires the State Department of Public Health (DPH) to include on its public internet website relating to pregnancy and reproductive health information advising individuals to discuss any pelvic floor concerns with their health care provider during their postpartum care visit.

Senate Amendments

Delete the requirement for DPH to post information about pelvic floor therapy resources and instead require DPH to include information advising individuals to discuss any pelvic floor concerns with their health care provider during their postpartum care visit.

COMMENTS

Background on pelvic floor and pelvic floor disorders (PFDs). The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and tissues that support important organs like the bladder, urethra, anus, and internal reproductive organs. These muscles help keep the pelvic organs in place and sustain bladder and bowel control.

PFDs. According to the University of California San Franscico's (UCSF) Department of Surgery's website, PFDs occur when the pelvic muscles and connective tissue in the pelvis weaken or are injured. PFDs may result from pelvic surgery, radiation treatments, and, in some cases, pregnancy or vaginal delivery of a child. University of California (UC) Davis Health's website notes that several medical conditions and factors can increase the risk of PFDs including: age, chronic straining, heavy lifting, chronic coughing, delivery method in childbirth, multiple births, and obesity or overweight. PFDs are common and are frequently experienced in birthing people after pregnancy and delivery. UCSF's website highlighted that an estimated one-third of all U.S. women are affected by one type of pelvic floor disorder in their lifetime.

According to a 2022 paper published in the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Journal titled "Physical Therapy is an Important Component of Postpartum Care in the Fourth Trimester," PFDs negatively impact quality of life. Impairments associated with PFDs can decrease participation in exercise and social activities, possibly leading to isolation and depression. Women with PFDs experience poor body image and self-esteem. Further, approximately 23% of women with urinary incontinence miss work due to their symptoms.

What is pelvic floor therapy? According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, pelvic floor therapy is a type of physical therapy that helps strengthen or relax pelvic floor muscles to prevent, treat or manage the symptoms of PFDs. Through a combination of exercise and other nonsurgical treatments, pelvic floor therapy can help children and adults improve core stability and control over urination, bowel movements, and sexual function.

According to the 2022 paper referenced above, pelvic floor physical therapy can include power, strength, endurance and relaxation exercises, as well as electrical stimulation, biofeedback training, manual therapy, and behavioral education. The paper also highlights findings from a 2019 Cochrane review that determined that women who received postpartum physical therapy were five to eight times more likely to eliminate their symptoms of urinary incontinence than women who received general education, lifestyle advice, motivational phone calls, or no interventions.

Pelvic floor physical therapy is usually provided by physical therapists with specialized pelvic floor physical therapy training. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that obstetricians refer postpartum women to specialized support services, including physical therapy, on an as-needed basis.

According to a 2022 research report published by the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, titled "The Importance of Information: Prenatal Education Surrounding Birth-Related Pelvic Floor Trauma Mitigates Symptom-Related Distress," research suggests that enhancing understanding during pregnancy of pelvic floor function and the potential for injury in the context of pregnancy and childbirth, as well as the timeline for postpartum rehabilitation, may be an important piece of optimizing health in the fourth trimester (the three-month period following childbirth).

What infrastructure exists within DPH? Within its Center for Family Health, DPH's Maternal, Child and Health Division Programs encourage ongoing education, social support, empowerment, healthy life choices, and mental and physical wellness during pregnancy. DPH's webpage on Maternal/Women's Health includes links to information resources on various topics such as breastfeeding, birth plans, gestational diabetes and postpartum care, maternal mental health, maternal mortality, nutrition and physical activity, opioids and pregnancy, preconception health, pregnancy and reproductive health, and safe pregnancies in extreme heat. This bill requires DPH to include information advising individuals to discuss any pelvic floor concerns with their health care provider during their postpartum care visit on its website relating to pregnancy and reproductive health.

According to the Author

One in three people who have given birth will experience a pelvic floor disorder in their lifetime. The author states that there are people every day dealing with functional problems that could have been avoided with preventative postpartum pelvic floor care. The author contends that if California supports new parents before they give birth, California should support them through their healing journey. The author concludes that this bill adds resources to a trusted state website and offers people the ability to access those resources and information to avoid long-term issues with pelvic floor disorders.

Arguments in Support

None on file.

Arguments in Opposition

None on file.

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.

VOTES:

ASM HEALTH: 16-0-0

YES: Bonta, Chen, Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Caloza, Carrillo, Mark González, Johnson, Patel, Patterson, Rogers, Sanchez, Schiavo, Sharp-Collins, Stefani

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 15-0-0

YES: Wicks, Hoover, Aguiar-Curry, Calderon, Caloza, Dixon, Fong, Mark González, Krell, Pacheco, Pellerin, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Ta, Tangipa

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 78-0-2

YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Johnson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas

ABS, ABST OR NV: Muratsuchi, Celeste Rodriguez

SENATE FLOOR: 40-0-0

YES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Arreguín, Ashby, Becker, Blakespear, Cabaldon, Caballero, Cervantes, Choi, Cortese, Dahle, Durazo, Gonzalez, Grayson, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, McNerney, Menjivar, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Pérez, Reyes, Richardson, Rubio, Seyarto, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Strickland, Umberg, Valladares, Wahab, Weber Pierson, Wiener

UPDATED

VERSION: June 15, 2026

CONSULTANT: Lara Flynn / HEALTH / (916) 319-2097 FN: 0003734

CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS

CSA1 Bill Id:AB 1910

Author:(Boerner)

As Amended Ver:June 15, 2026

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Requires the State Department of Public Health (DPH) to include on its public internet website relating to pregnancy and reproductive health information advising individuals to discuss any pelvic floor concerns with their health care provider during their postpartum care visit.

Senate Amendments

Delete the requirement for DPH to post information about pelvic floor therapy resources and instead require DPH to include information advising individuals to discuss any pelvic floor concerns with their health care provider during their postpartum care visit.

COMMENTS

Background on pelvic floor and pelvic floor disorders (PFDs). The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and tissues that support important organs like the bladder, urethra, anus, and internal reproductive organs. These muscles help keep the pelvic organs in place and sustain bladder and bowel control.

PFDs. According to the University of California San Franscico's (UCSF) Department of Surgery's website, PFDs occur when the pelvic muscles and connective tissue in the pelvis weaken or are injured. PFDs may result from pelvic surgery, radiation treatments, and, in some cases, pregnancy or vaginal delivery of a child. University of California (UC) Davis Health's website notes that several medical conditions and factors can increase the risk of PFDs including: age, chronic straining, heavy lifting, chronic coughing, delivery method in childbirth, multiple births, and obesity or overweight. PFDs are common and are frequently experienced in birthing people after pregnancy and delivery. UCSF's website highlighted that an estimated one-third of all U.S. women are affected by one type of pelvic floor disorder in their lifetime.

According to a 2022 paper published in the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Journal titled "Physical Therapy is an Important Component of Postpartum Care in the Fourth Trimester," PFDs negatively impact quality of life. Impairments associated with PFDs can decrease participation in exercise and social activities, possibly leading to isolation and depression. Women with PFDs experience poor body image and self-esteem. Further, approximately 23% of women with urinary incontinence miss work due to their symptoms.

What is pelvic floor therapy? According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, pelvic floor therapy is a type of physical therapy that helps strengthen or relax pelvic floor muscles to prevent, treat or manage the symptoms of PFDs. Through a combination of exercise and other nonsurgical treatments, pelvic floor therapy can help children and adults improve core stability and control over urination, bowel movements, and sexual function.

According to the 2022 paper referenced above, pelvic floor physical therapy can include power, strength, endurance and relaxation exercises, as well as electrical stimulation, biofeedback training, manual therapy, and behavioral education. The paper also highlights findings from a 2019 Cochrane review that determined that women who received postpartum physical therapy were five to eight times more likely to eliminate their symptoms of urinary incontinence than women who received general education, lifestyle advice, motivational phone calls, or no interventions.

Pelvic floor physical therapy is usually provided by physical therapists with specialized pelvic floor physical therapy training. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that obstetricians refer postpartum women to specialized support services, including physical therapy, on an as-needed basis.

According to a 2022 research report published by the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, titled "The Importance of Information: Prenatal Education Surrounding Birth-Related Pelvic Floor Trauma Mitigates Symptom-Related Distress," research suggests that enhancing understanding during pregnancy of pelvic floor function and the potential for injury in the context of pregnancy and childbirth, as well as the timeline for postpartum rehabilitation, may be an important piece of optimizing health in the fourth trimester (the three-month period following childbirth).

What infrastructure exists within DPH? Within its Center for Family Health, DPH's Maternal, Child and Health Division Programs encourage ongoing education, social support, empowerment, healthy life choices, and mental and physical wellness during pregnancy. DPH's webpage on Maternal/Women's Health includes links to information resources on various topics such as breastfeeding, birth plans, gestational diabetes and postpartum care, maternal mental health, maternal mortality, nutrition and physical activity, opioids and pregnancy, preconception health, pregnancy and reproductive health, and safe pregnancies in extreme heat. This bill requires DPH to include information advising individuals to discuss any pelvic floor concerns with their health care provider during their postpartum care visit on its website relating to pregnancy and reproductive health.

According to the Author

One in three people who have given birth will experience a pelvic floor disorder in their lifetime. The author states that there are people every day dealing with functional problems that could have been avoided with preventative postpartum pelvic floor care. The author contends that if California supports new parents before they give birth, California should support them through their healing journey. The author concludes that this bill adds resources to a trusted state website and offers people the ability to access those resources and information to avoid long-term issues with pelvic floor disorders.

Arguments in Support

None on file.

Arguments in Opposition

None on file.

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.

VOTES:

ASM HEALTH: 16-0-0

YES: Bonta, Chen, Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Caloza, Carrillo, Mark González, Johnson, Patel, Patterson, Rogers, Sanchez, Schiavo, Sharp-Collins, Stefani

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 15-0-0

YES: Wicks, Hoover, Aguiar-Curry, Calderon, Caloza, Dixon, Fong, Mark González, Krell, Pacheco, Pellerin, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Ta, Tangipa

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 78-0-2

YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Johnson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas

ABS, ABST OR NV: Muratsuchi, Celeste Rodriguez

UPDATED

VERSION: June 15, 2026

CONSULTANT: Lara Flynn / HEALTH / (916) 319-2097 FN: 0003734

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 1910

Author: Boerner (D)

Amended: 6/15/26 in Senate

Vote: 21

SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE: 10-0, 6/10/26

AYES: Weber Pierson, Valladares, Caballero, Durazo, Grove, Menjivar, Padilla, Pérez, Rubio, Smallwood-Cuevas

NO VOTE RECORDED: Gonzalez

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 78-0, 5/26/26 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Public health: pelvic floor health advisement

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This bill requires the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to post information on its pregnancy and reproductive health website advising individuals to discuss any pelvic floor concerns with their health care provider during their postpartum care visit.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Requires the CDPH to develop a coordinated state strategy for addressing the health-related needs of women, including implementation of goals and objectives for women’s health. Requires CDPH to maintain a program of maternal and child health. (Health and Safety Code (HSC) §137 and §123225)
2. Authorizes San Diego County to establish a pilot program for pelvic floor and core conditioning group classes that would be provided to people twice a week between their six-to-twelve-week postpartum window to help people rebuild their pelvic floor after pregnancy, and requires the program to collect specified data to directly assess pelvic floor changes. (HSC §123643)

This bill requires CDPH to post information on its pregnancy and reproductive health website advising individuals to discuss any pelvic floor concerns with their health care provider during their postpartum care visit.

Comments

According to the author of this bill:

One in three people who have given birth will experience a pelvic floor disorder in their lifetime. There are people every day dealing with functional problems that could have been avoided with preventative postpartum pelvic floor care. If we support new parents before they give birth, we should support them through their healing journey. This bill adds resources to a trusted state website and offers people the ability to access those resources and information to avoid long-term issues with pelvic floor disorders.

Background

Pelvic floor disorders. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Office of Women’s Health, the pelvic floor is a group of muscles and tissues that support the stability and function of the pelvic organs, sustaining bladder and bowel control and sexual function. Pelvic floor disorders—when the muscles or tissues of the pelvic area become weakened or injured—can arise from childbirth, obesity, age, menopause, or genetics, and include urinary or anal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and pelvic pain. A 2014 study in Obstetrics & Gynecology examining the occurrence of pelvic floor disorders in adult nonpregnant women over 20 years of age from 2005 to 2010 found a 25% prevalence of one or more pelvic floor disorders among all women, ranging from 11.5% among nulliparous women to 33.6% among those who gave birth four or more times. A 2018 JAMA article found associations between delivery mode and risk of pelvic floor disorders: compared to nonoperative vaginal delivery, cesarean delivery was associated with lower risk of many pelvic floor disorders. Although women who have given birth have an increased risk of pelvic floor disorders, they are not just a women’s health issue; according to the Cleveland Clinic, many men experience temporary urinary incontinence after prostatectomy.

Pelvic floor disorder treatment and pelvic floor physical therapy. According to the University of Chicago School of Medicine, pelvic floor disorders can be treated surgically (for pelvic organ prolapse) or non-surgically through lifestyle changes, nerve stimulation procedures or medication (for some forms of incontinence), pessaries (silicone devices that can support the organs above the pelvic floor muscles), or pelvic floor physical therapy. Pelvic floor physical therapy, also known as pelvic floor muscle training, aims to rehabilitate the pelvic floor muscles with exercises that improve muscle tone and function; for example, Kegel exercises involve repeatedly squeezing and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles, while myofascial release is a form of physical therapy that aims to release tension in the muscles and connective tissue of the pelvic floor, according to the FDA. Other techniques like biofeedback (using sensors to monitor the pelvic floor muscles as they are clenched or relaxed to improve muscle coordination), electrical stimulation, and manual therapy can also be performed to improve bladder and bowel symptoms. A 2019 Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology review reports robust evidence-based support for the use of pelvic floor physical therapy, with or without supplemental treatments, as a first-line, low-risk, minimally invasive therapy for preventing and treating pelvic floor dysfunction, particularly stress urinary incontinence and pelvic floor myofascial pain.

However, the evidence on the effectiveness of pelvic floor physical therapy in treating pelvic floor disorders in postpartum women is mixed. The California Health Benefits Review Program (CHBRP) analysis of AB 1904 (Boerner Horvath, 2020) states “while a preponderance of evidence shows that pelvic floor physical therapy is effective at treating urinary incontinence in non-postpartum women, there is inconclusive evidence that pelvic floor physical therapy is effective for urinary incontinence in postpartum women.” CHBRP found limited or insufficient evidence for the effectiveness of pelvic floor physical therapy to treat other pelvic floor disorders in postpartum women, including pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, and anal incontinence. Similarly, a May 2020 Cochrane review on the effectiveness of pelvic floor physical therapy either during pregnancy or after birth for preventing or treating incontinence has found the overall quality of evidence in the field to be low to moderate. Although the review provides evidence that early, structured pelvic floor physical therapy performed preventatively in early pregnancy for continent women may prevent the onset of urinary incontinence in late pregnancy and in the mid-postpartum period, they found no evidence of decreased risk after six months postpartum. They also found no evidence that pelvic floor physical therapy performed as a treatment for incontinent women reduces incontinence during late pregnancy or postpartum.

Related/Prior Legislation

AB 2756 (Boerner, Chapter 202, Statutes of 2024) authorizes San Diego County to establish a pilot program (until January 1, 2029) for pelvic floor and core conditioning group classes to help people rebuild their pelvic floor after pregnancy, and requires the program to collect specified data to directly assess pelvic floor changes.

AB 47 (Boerner Horvath, 2023) and AB 1904 (Boerner Horvath, 2020) would have required a health plan contract or health insurance policy, including a Medi-Cal managed care plan, to provide coverage for pelvic floor physical therapy after pregnancy. AB 47 and AB 1904 were not heard in the Assembly Health Committee.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 6/23/26)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 6/23/26)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 78-0, 5/26/26

AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Johnson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas

NO VOTE RECORDED: Muratsuchi, Celeste Rodriguez

Prepared by: Natalie Gehred / HEALTH / (916) 651-4111

6/24/26 16:32:21

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, Chair

BILL NO: AB 1910

SUBJECT: Public health: pelvic floor therapy resources

SUMMARY:

Requires the California Department of Public Health to post information about pelvic floor therapy resources on its website relating to pregnancy and reproductive health.

Existing law:

1. Requires the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to develop a coordinated state strategy for addressing the health-related needs of women, including implementation of goals and objectives for women’s health. Requires CDPH to maintain a program of maternal and child health. [HSC §137 and §123225]
2. Authorizes San Diego County to establish a pilot program for pelvic floor and core conditioning group classes that would be provided to people twice a week between their six-to-twelve-week postpartum window to help people rebuild their pelvic floor after pregnancy, and requires the program to collect specified data to directly assess pelvic floor changes. [HSC §123643]

This bill: Requires CDPH to post information about pelvic floor therapy resources on its website relating to pregnancy and reproductive health.

FISCAL EFFECT:

According to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations, General Fund costs of an unknown amount, potentially over $150,000, to CDPH.

PRIOR VOTES:

COMMENTS:

1. Author’s statement. According to the author, one in three people who have given birth will experience a pelvic floor disorder in their lifetime. There are people every day dealing with functional problems that could have been avoided with preventative postpartum pelvic floor care. If we support new parents before they give birth, we should support them through their healing journey. This bill adds resources to a trusted state website and offers people the ability to access those resources and information to avoid long-term issues with pelvic floor disorders.
2. Pelvic floor disorders. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Office of Women’s Health, the pelvic floor is a group of muscles and tissues that support the stability and function of the pelvic organs, sustaining bladder and bowel control and sexual function. Pelvic floor disorders—when the muscles or tissues of the pelvic area become weakened or injured—can arise from childbirth, obesity, age, menopause, or genetics, and include urinary or anal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and pelvic pain. A 2014 study in Obstetrics & Gynecology examining the occurrence of pelvic floor disorders in adult nonpregnant women over 20 years of age from 2005 to 2010 found a 25% prevalence of one or more pelvic floor disorders among all women, ranging from 11.5% among nulliparous women to 33.6% among those who gave birth four or more times. A 2018 JAMA article found associations between delivery mode and risk of pelvic floor disorders: compared to nonoperative vaginal delivery, cesarean delivery was associated with lower risk of many pelvic floor disorders. Although women who have given birth have an increased risk of pelvic floor disorders, they are not just a women’s health issue; according to the Cleveland Clinic, many men experience temporary urinary incontinence after prostatectomy.
3. Pelvic floor disorder treatment and pelvic floor physical therapy. According to the University of Chicago School of Medicine, pelvic floor disorders can be treated surgically (for pelvic organ prolapse) or non-surgically through lifestyle changes, nerve stimulation procedures or medication (for some forms of incontinence), pessaries (silicone devices that can support the organs above the pelvic floor muscles), or pelvic floor physical therapy. Pelvic floor physical therapy, also known as pelvic floor muscle training, aims to rehabilitate the pelvic floor muscles with exercises that improve muscle tone and function; for example, Kegel exercises involve repeatedly squeezing and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles, while myofascial release is a form of physical therapy that aims to release tension in the muscles and connective tissue of the pelvic floor, according to the FDA. Other techniques like biofeedback (using sensors to monitor the pelvic floor muscles as they are clenched or relaxed to improve muscle coordination), electrical stimulation, and manual therapy can also be performed to improve bladder and bowel symptoms. A 2019 Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology review reports robust evidence-based support for the use of pelvic floor physical therapy, with or without supplemental treatments, as a first-line, low-risk, minimally invasive therapy for preventing and treating pelvic floor dysfunction, particularly stress urinary incontinence and pelvic floor myofascial pain.

However, the evidence on the effectiveness of pelvic floor physical therapy in treating pelvic floor disorders in postpartum women is mixed. The California Health Benefits Review Program (CHBRP) analysis of AB 1904 (Boerner Horvath of 2020) states while a preponderance of evidence shows that pelvic floor physical therapy is effective at treating urinary incontinence in non-postpartum women, there is inconclusive evidence that pelvic floor physical therapy is effective for urinary incontinence in postpartum women. CHBRP found limited or insufficient evidence for the effectiveness of pelvic floor physical therapy to treat other pelvic floor disorders in postpartum women, including pelvic pain, pelvic organ prolapse, and anal incontinence. Similarly, a May 2020 Cochrane review on the effectiveness of pelvic floor physical therapy either during pregnancy or after birth for preventing or treating incontinence has found the overall quality of evidence in the field to be low to moderate. Although the review provides evidence that early, structured pelvic floor physical therapy performed preventatively in early pregnancy for continent women may prevent the onset of urinary incontinence in late pregnancy and in the mid-postpartum period, they found no evidence of decreased risk after six months postpartum. They also found no evidence that pelvic floor physical therapy performed as a treatment for incontinent women reduces incontinence during late pregnancy or postpartum.

1. Prior legislation. AB 2756 (Boerner, Chapter 202, Statutes of 2024) authorizes San Diego County to establish a pilot program (until January 1, 2029) for pelvic floor and core conditioning group classes to help people rebuild their pelvic floor after pregnancy, and requires the program to collect specified data to directly assess pelvic floor changes.

AB 47 (Boerner of 2023) and AB 1904 (Boerner of 2020) would have required a health plan contract or health insurance policy, including a Medi-Cal managed care plan, to provide coverage for pelvic floor physical therapy after pregnancy. AB 47 and AB 1904 were not heard in the Assembly Health Committee.

1. Technical amendments. The author requests the committee approve an amendment as follows:

123577. The department shall post information about pelvic floor physical therapy resources to a web page on its public internet website relating to pregnancy and reproductive health.

SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION:

Support: None received.

Oppose: None received.

-- END --

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:AB 1910

Author:(Boerner)

As Introduced Ver:February 12, 2026

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Requires the State Department of Public Health (DPH) to post information about pelvic floor therapy resources to a web page on its public internet website relating to pregnancy and reproductive health.

Major Provisions

COMMENTS

Background on pelvic floor and pelvic floor disorders (PFDs). The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and tissues that support important organs like the bladder, urethra, anus, and internal reproductive organs. These muscles help keep the pelvic organs in place and sustain bladder and bowel control.

PFDs. According to the University of California San Franscico's (UCSF) Department of Surgery's website, PFDs occur when the pelvic muscles and connective tissue in the pelvis weaken or are injured. PFDs may result from pelvic surgery, radiation treatments, and, in some cases, pregnancy or vaginal delivery of a child. University of California (UC) Davis Health's website notes that several medical conditions and factors can increase the risk of PFDs including: age, chronic straining, heavy lifting, chronic coughing, delivery method in childbirth, multiple births, and obesity or overweight.

PFDs are common and are frequently experienced in birthing people after pregnancy and delivery. UCSF's website highlighted that an estimated one-third of all U.S. women are affected by one type of pelvic floor disorder in their lifetime.

According to a 2022 paper published in the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Journal titled "Physical Therapy is an Important Component of Postpartum Care in the Fourth Trimester," PFDs negatively impact quality of life. Impairments associated with PFDs can decrease participation in exercise and social activities, possibly leading to isolation and depression. Women with PFDs experience poor body image and self-esteem. Further, approximately 23% of women with urinary incontinence miss work due to their symptoms.

What is pelvic floor therapy? According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, pelvic floor therapy is a type of physical therapy that helps strengthen or relax pelvic floor muscles to prevent, treat or manage the symptoms of PFDs. Through a combination of exercise and other nonsurgical treatments, pelvic floor therapy can help children and adults improve core stability and control over urination, bowel movements, and sexual function.

According to the 2022 paper referenced above, pelvic floor physical therapy can include power, strength, endurance and relaxation exercises, as well as electrical stimulation, biofeedback training, manual therapy, and behavioral education. The paper also highlights findings from a 2019 Cochrane review that determined that women who received postpartum physical therapy were five to eight times more likely to eliminate their symptoms of urinary incontinence than women who received general education, lifestyle advice, motivational phone calls, or no interventions.

Pelvic floor physical therapy is usually provided by physical therapists with specialized pelvic floor physical therapy training. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that obstetricians refer postpartum women to specialized support services, including physical therapy, on an as-needed basis.

According to a 2022 research report published by the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, titled "The Importance of Information: Prenatal Education Surrounding Birth-Related Pelvic Floor Trauma Mitigates Symptom-Related Distress," research suggests that enhancing understanding during pregnancy of pelvic floor function and the potential for injury in the context of pregnancy and childbirth, as well as the timeline for postpartum rehabilitation, may be an important piece of optimizing health in the fourth trimester (the three-month period following childbirth).

What infrastructure exists within DPH? Within its Center for Family Health, DPH's Maternal, Child and Health Division Programs encourage ongoing education, social support, empowerment, healthy life choices, and mental and physical wellness during pregnancy. DPH's webpage on Maternal/Women's Health includes links to information resources on various topics such as breastfeeding, birth plans, gestational diabetes and postpartum care, maternal mental health, maternal mortality, nutrition and physical activity, opioids and pregnancy, preconception health, pregnancy and reproductive health, and safe pregnancies in extreme heat. This bill requires DPH to post information about pelvic floor therapy resources to a webpage on its public internet website relating to pregnancy and reproductive health.

According to the Author

One in three people who have given birth will experience a pelvic floor disorder in their lifetime. The author continues that there are people every day dealing with functional problems that could have been avoided with preventative postpartum pelvic floor care. The author contends that if California supports new parents before they give birth, California should support them through their healing journey. The author concludes that this bill adds resources to a trusted state website and offers people the ability to access those resources and information to avoid long-term issues with pelvic floor disorders.

Arguments in Support

None on file.

Arguments in Opposition

None on file.

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, General Fund costs of an unknown amount, potentially over $150,000, to DPH. The Legislative Analyst's Office recently warned of structural deficits of around $35 billion per year in the 2027-28 fiscal year and ongoing.

VOTES

ASM HEALTH: 16-0-0

YES: Bonta, Chen, Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Caloza, Carrillo, Mark González, Johnson, Patel, Patterson, Rogers, Sanchez, Schiavo, Sharp-Collins, Stefani

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 15-0-0

YES: Wicks, Hoover, Aguiar-Curry, Calderon, Caloza, Dixon, Fong, Mark González, Krell, Pacheco, Pellerin, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Ta, Tangipa

UPDATED

VERSION: February 12, 2026

CONSULTANT: Eliza Brooks / HEALTH / (916) 319-2097 FN: 0002894

Date of Hearing: April 8, 2026

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Buffy Wicks, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1910

Author:(Boerner) – As Introduced Ver:February 12, 2026

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) post information about pelvic floor therapy resources to a web page on its public website relating to pregnancy and reproductive health.

FISCAL EFFECT:

General Fund costs of an unknown amount, potentially over $150,000, to CDPH.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office recently warned of structural deficits of around $35 billion per year in the 2027-28 fiscal year and ongoing.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. According to the author:

One in three people who have given birth will experience a pelvic floor disorder in their lifetime. There are people every day dealing with functional problems that could have been avoided with preventative postpartum pelvic floor care. If we support new parents before they give birth, we should support them through their healing journey. [This bill] adds resources to a trusted state website and offers people the ability to access those resources and information to avoid long-term issues with pelvic floor disorders.

1. Background. Pelvic Floor Disorders. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and tissues that support important organs like the bladder, urethra, anus, and internal reproductive organs. These muscles help keep the pelvic organs in place and sustain bladder and bowel control. Pelvic Floor Disorders (PFDs) occur when the pelvic muscles and connective tissue in the pelvis weaken or are injured and are common in birthing people after pregnancy and delivery. Women with PFDs experience poor body image and self-esteem. Further, approximately 23% of women with urinary incontinence miss work due to their symptoms.
   
   Pelvic Floor Therapy. Pelvic floor therapy is a type of physical therapy that helps strengthen or relax pelvic floor muscles to prevent, treat or manage the symptoms of PFDs. Pelvic floor therapy can help people improve core stability and control over urination, bowel movements, and sexual function through a combination of exercise and other nonsurgical treatments. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends obstetricians refer postpartum women to specialized support services, including physical therapy, on an as-needed basis. Research suggests that enhancing understanding during pregnancy of pelvic floor function and the potential for injury in the context of pregnancy and childbirth, as well as the timeline for postpartum rehabilitation, may be an important piece of optimizing health in the period following childbirth. The American Physical Therapy Association asserts that the average net benefit of treating stress urinary incontinence with physical therapy is estimated to be $10,129 per episode of care.

Analysis Prepared by: Allegra Kim / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: March 17, 2026

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

Mia Bonta, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1910

Author:(Boerner) – As Introduced Ver:February 12, 2026

SUBJECT: Public health: pelvic floor therapy resources.

SUMMARY: Requires the State Department of Public Health (DPH) to post information about pelvic floor therapy resources to a web page on its public internet website relating to pregnancy and reproductive health.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Finds and declares that prenatal and postpartum care, among other things, are essential services necessary to ensure maternal health. [Health and Safety Code (HSC) § 123550]
2. Requires DPH to maintain a program of maternal and child health. [HSC § 123225]
3. Requires DPH to develop a coordinated state strategy for addressing the health-related needs of women, including implementation of goals and objectives for women’s health. Requires the approved programmatic costs associated with this strategy to be the responsibility of DPH unless otherwise provided by law. [HSC § 137]

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown. This bill has not been analyzed by a fiscal committee.

COMMENTS:

1. PURPOSE OF THIS BILL. According to the author, one in three people who have given birth will experience a pelvic floor disorder (PFD) in their lifetime. The author continues that there are people every day dealing with functional problems that could have been avoided with preventative postpartum pelvic floor care. The author contends that if California supports new parents before they give birth, California should support them through their healing journey. The author concludes that this bill adds resources to a trusted state website and offers people the ability to access those resources and information to avoid long-term issues with pelvic floor disorders.
2. BACKGROUND.
   1. Background on pelvic floor and pelvic floor disorders. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and tissues that support important organs like the bladder, urethra, anus, and internal reproductive organs. These muscles help keep the pelvic organs in place and sustain bladder and bowel control.
   2. PFDs. According to the University of California San Franscico’s (UCSF) Department of Surgery’s website, PFDs occur when the pelvic muscles and connective tissue in the pelvis weaken or are injured. PFDs may result from pelvic surgery, radiation treatments, and, in some cases, pregnancy or vaginal delivery of a child. UC Davis Health’s website notes that several medical conditions and factors can increase the risk of PFDs including: age, chronic straining, heavy lifting, chronic coughing, delivery method in childbirth, multiple births, and obesity or overweight.

PFDs are common and are frequently experienced in birthing people after pregnancy and delivery. UCSF’s website highlighted that an estimated one-third of all U.S. women are affected by one type of pelvic floor disorder in their lifetime.

According to a 2022 paper published in the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Journal titled “Physical Therapy is an Important Component of Postpartum Care in the Fourth Trimester,” PFDs negatively impact quality of life. Impairments associated with PFDs can decrease participation in exercise and social activities, possibly leading to isolation and depression. Women with PFDs experience poor body image and self-esteem. Further, approximately 23% of women with urinary incontinence miss work due to their symptoms.

• 1. What is pelvic floor therapy? According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, pelvic floor therapy is a type of physical therapy that helps strengthen or relax pelvic floor muscles to prevent, treat or manage the symptoms of PFDs. Through a combination of exercise and other nonsurgical treatments, pelvic floor therapy can help children and adults improve core stability and control over urination, bowel movements, and sexual function.

According to the 2022 paper referenced above, pelvic floor physical therapy can include power, strength, endurance and relaxation exercises, as well as electrical stimulation, biofeedback training, manual therapy, and behavioral education. The paper also highlights findings from a 2019 Cochrane review that determined that women who received postpartum physical therapy were five to eight times more likely to eliminate their symptoms of urinary incontinence than women who received general education, lifestyle advice, motivational phone calls, or no interventions.

Pelvic floor physical therapy is usually provided by physical therapists with specialized pelvic floor physical therapy training. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that obstetricians refer postpartum women to specialized support services, including physical therapy, on an as-needed basis.

According to a 2022 research report published by the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, titled “The Importance of Information: Prenatal Education Surrounding Birth-Related Pelvic Floor Trauma Mitigates Symptom-Related Distress,” research suggests that enhancing understanding during pregnancy of pelvic floor function and the potential for injury in the context of pregnancy and childbirth, as well as the timeline for postpartum rehabilitation, may be an important piece of optimizing health in the fourth trimester (the three-month period following childbirth).

• 1. What infrastructure exists within DPH? Within its Center for Family Health, DPH’s Maternal, Child and Health Division Programs encourage ongoing education, social support, empowerment, healthy life choices, and mental and physical wellness during pregnancy. DPH’s webpage on Maternal/Women’s Health includes links to information resources on various topics such as breastfeeding, birth plans, gestational diabetes and postpartum care, maternal mental health, maternal mortality, nutrition and physical activity, opioids and pregnancy, preconception health, pregnancy and reproductive health, and safe pregnancies in extreme heat. This bill requires DPH to post information about pelvic floor therapy resources to a webpage on its public internet website relating to pregnancy and reproductive health.

1. RELATED LEGISLATION. AB 2082 (Jeff Gonzalez) would require DPH to, beginning July 1, 2027, establish a program to work with local nonprofit organizations who have a history of serving farmworker communities to provide free menstrual products in rural or agricultural communities. Would require DPH to prioritize those communities with the highest rates of poverty.
2. PREVIOUS LEGISLATION.
   1. AB 2756 (Boerner), Chapter 202, Statutes of 2024 authorizes, until January 1, 2029, San Diego County to establish a pilot program for pelvic floor and core conditioning group classes that would be provided to people twice a week between their six to twelve week postpartum window to help people rebuild their pelvic floor after pregnancy and requires the program to record specified information to directly assess pelvic floor changes.
   2. AB 2789 (Wallis) of 2024 would have required DPH to create and maintain an internet website that contains instructional information regarding how a person can change their name after they get married and a list of all agencies that need to be notified of a name change that occurs after marriage. AB 2789 was held on the Assembly Appropriations suspense file.
   3. AB 47 (Boerner) of 2023 would have required a health care service plan contract or health insurance policy issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024, to provide coverage for pelvic floor physical therapy after pregnancy. AB 47 was not heard in the Assembly Health Committee.
   4. AB 1904 (Boerner Horvath) of 2020 would have required all state-regulated health insurance, including Medi-Cal managed care, to cover pelvic floor physical therapy after pregnancy. AB 1904 was not heard in the Assembly Health Committee.
3. POLICY COMMENT. The author’s office indicates that the type of resources intended to be included are information about pelvic floor disorders, pelvic floor therapy and links to self-guided resources such as pelvic floor exercise ideas to support pelvic floor care. Moving forward, the author may wish to consider amending this bill to specify the type of information that DPH is directed to post on their website within the text of the bill.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Eliza Brooks / HEALTH / (916) 319-2097