A Major Victory for the Parkinson's Community: AB 829 approved by Governor Newsom and chaptered by Secretary of State

The impact of this new funding stream will be profound.

The California Neurology Society is proud to celebrate a significant achievement with the signing of Assembly Bill 829 into law. Our organization was a dedicated supporter of this critical legislation, naming it one of our top three priorities for the year. Through visits to legislative offices and unwavering testimony, CNS advocated to highlight the urgent need for this bill, and we are grateful to see this effort come to fruition for the benefit of patients and families across California.

This new law establishes the Parkinson’s Disease Research Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund on the California state income tax return. This provides a simple and powerful way for Californians to directly support the fight against Parkinson’s disease by voluntarily donating all or part of their tax refund. The funds generated will be continuously appropriated to the State Department of Public Health to support the vital work of the Richard Paul Hemann Parkinson’s Disease Program. This program is essential for maintaining the California Neurodegenerative Disease Registry, which collects the data necessary to advance research, improve treatments, and better understand this devastating disease.

The impact of this new funding stream will be profound. It will amplify research efforts, strengthen the state’s data collection capabilities, and raise public awareness for a disease that affects many Californians and costs the state billions annually. This victory is a testament to the power of collective advocacy, and we share this success with the entire community of patients, caregivers, researchers, and partner organizations who lent their voices to this cause. Together, we have created a new path for progress in the fight against Parkinson’s disease.

Best regards,

Johanna Rosenthal, MD

Chair, CNS Legislative Committee