Legislative Overview and Connections Loneliness & Social Isolation Federal, State, and Local Policy Activity Status as of February 2026

• Bill: H.R. 1305 (119th Congress)
• Authors:
  • Rep. Mike Flood (R–NE)
  • Rep. Ami Bera (D–CA)
    • Status: Introduced (2025); Referred to House Energy & Commerce Committee
• Summary: Requires federal health agencies to develop standardized national measures for loneliness and social isolation to guide research, public health monitoring, and future funding.
• Advocacy Contacts
  • Rep. Ami Bera (CA) https://bera.house.gov/contact
  • House Energy & Commerce Committee https://energycommerce.house.gov/contact

• Lead Champion: Sen. Chris Murphy (D–CT)
• Status: Policy development and advocacy; no comprehensive enacted bill as of Feb 2026
• Summary: Would establish a national strategy, grant funding, and healthcare integration for community based social connection programs.
• Advocacy Contacts
  • Senator Chris Murphy
  • https://www.murphy.senate.gov/contact
  • Senate HELP Committee
  • https://www.help.senate.gov/contact

• Lead: Dr. Vivek Murthy (Nonpartisan)
• Status: Active federal guidance (2023–present)
• Summary: Calls for healthcare screening for isolation and expansion of community-based connection interventions.
• Public Comment / Engagement
• Office of the Surgeon General
  • https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/contact/index.html

• Author: Governor Gavin Newsom (D) Administration
• Status: Approved March 2024; implementation ongoing (2025–2026)
• Summary: Reforms behavioral health funding to prioritize prevention, early intervention, housing, and community-based services addressing upstream factors such as isolation.
• Advocacy Contacts
  • DHCS Behavioral Health Transformation
  • https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/BHT
  • Email: BHTinfo@dhcs.ca.gov

Contact your State Senator and Assemblymember for local input.

• Author: Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D)
• Status: Enacted; implementation underway
• Summary: Expands workforce pathways and Medi-Cal integration for Community Health Workers providing outreach, navigation, and social connection.
• Contact
  • https://a40.asmdc.org/contact
  • DHCS CHW Program
  • https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/provgovpart/Pages/CommunityHealthWorkers.aspx

• Author: Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman (D)
• Status: Enacted; implementation underway
• Summary: Expands behavioral health workforce and peer services that help reduce isolation through community-based care.
• Contact
  • https://sd05.senate.ca.gov/contact

• Category: County Initiative
• Leadership:
  • Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
  • Los Angeles County Office of Education
• Purpose: Expand access to mental health services for children and adolescents.
• Programs include:
  • School-based counseling
  • Trauma-informed services
  • Early intervention programs
• Official information: https://dmh.lacounty.gov/kids/

• Authority: Executive Order N-14-19 (Governor Newsom, D)
• Status: Active through 2030
• Summary: Goal 3: “Inclusion & Equity, Not Isolation”
  • Focus areas:
    • Aging in place
    • Caregiver support
    • Transportation and digital access
    • Community engagement
• Contact
  • California Department of Aging
    • https://aging.ca.gov/contact/
  • MPA Engagement
    • https://mpa.aging.ca.gov/

• Lead: LA County Department of Aging & Disabilities
• Status: Active programs
• Summary: Includes reassurance calls, senior engagement hubs, caregiver support, and community connection programs.
• Contact
  • https://ad.lacounty.gov/contact/

• Lead: LA County Department of Mental Health
• Status: Prop 1 planning and rollout (2025–2026)
• Summary: Expands prevention, peer services, and community partnerships addressing social determinants including isolation.
• Contact
  • https://dmh.lacounty.gov/about/contact-us/

Across federal, state, and local levels:

• Loneliness recognized as a public health risk factor
• Bipartisan federal interest
• Shift toward prevention through:
  • Community-based programs
  • Peer and volunteer models
  • Caregiver support
  • Faith and culturally trusted organizations
  • Social prescribing (healthcare → community)

1. OCPSC Community Connections convenings (State listening sessions)
2. DHCS Behavioral Health Transformation (BHTinfo@dhcs.ca.gov)
3. California Department of Aging (MPA stakeholder input)
4. Your State Assemblymember and State Senator
5. Congressional offices (especially Rep. Ami Bera for federal work)