Dietetics.

Existing law provides that any person representing himself or herself as a registered dietitian or dietetic technician shall meet specified requirements and qualifications. This bill would repeal these provisions and enact new provisions providing for the licensing and regulation of registered dietitians by the Dietitians Bureau in the Department of Consumer Affairs, which the bill would create. The bill would specify the qualifications required for registered dietitians and their scope of practice. The bill would specify the qualifications and required supervision for dietetic technicians, registered. The bill would create an advisory committee within the bureau, with 5 members appointed by the Director of Consumer Affairs and the Legislature. The bill would authorize the bureau to impose licensing fees, which would be deposited in the Dietitian Licensing Fund, which the bill would create, and would continuously appropriate those revenues to the bureau. The bill would authorize the bureau to enforce these provisions and would enact other related provisions. The bill would provide that a violation of these provisions is a misdemeanor. By creating a new crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.