The DMHC administers laws and regulations in its oversight of plans.
Additional information on the DMHC’s jurisdiction and administrative actions can be found through the links below.
Knox-Keene Act
The Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975 (Knox-Keene Act), as amended, is the set of laws or statutes passed by the California state legislature providing the DMHC with the authority to regulate health care service plans. The Knox-Keene Act can be found in California Health & Safety Code, section 1340 et seq. Additionally, regulations are used by the DMHC to implement, interpret, or make specific the laws enforced by the Department. These regulations are codified under title 28 of the California Code of Regulations.
2024 Knox-Keene Act and Title 28 Regulations (5 MB)
Purchase the 2024 Knox-Keene Act from LexisNexis Publishing
Newly Effective Regulations
Regulations become effective on a quarterly basis after filing with the Secretary of State. An emergency regulation becomes effective when filed with the Secretary of State. The text of the regulation is available within each regulation.
Open Pending Regulations
These are the draft regulations in which the Department is asking for public comments.
Closed Pending Regulations
These are the draft regulation in which the comment period is closed. The Department is now reviewing the comments.
Approved Pending Regulations
The formal rulemaking process is completed and the office of Administrative Law has issued an approval. These regulations will become effective.
Issues and Regulations
This section lists the topics the Department is currently considering and evaluating and where you can submit comments on those topics.
Additional information about this website and the Office of Legal Services role in the rulemaking process:
The laws by which the Department regulates health plans come in two varieties: those statutes enacted by the Legislature and those regulations developed by the Department. The California Legislature has enacted a body of statutes collectively known as the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, as amended.