Tuberculosis testing in schools.

Existing law prohibits a person being initially employed by a school district in a certificated or classified position, or who is employed or volunteering at a private or parochial school or nursery school, unless the person has submitted to a tuberculosis examination within the past 60 days, and requires the person to undergo an examination by a physician and surgeon or a physician assistant, as specified, to determine that he or she is free of active tuberculosis at least once every 4 years thereafter. Existing law requires the governing board of a school district to reimburse the employee for the cost of the examination. This bill would instead require a person to submit to a tuberculosis risk assessment, and, if risk factors are identified, would then require the person to submit to a tuberculosis examination to determine that the person is free of infectious tuberculosis. The bill would allow a person who is subject to these requirements to submit to an examination instead of submitting to a tuberculosis risk assessment, as specified. The bill would also make those provisions applicable to persons under contract in any school or volunteering in a public school, except as specified. With respect to school district personnel, the bill would also authorize nurse practitioners to administer the examination. The bill would require the State Department of Public Health, in consultation with the California Tuberculosis Controllers Association, to develop a risk assessment questionnaire, to be administered by a health care provider, to conduct the tuberculosis risk assessments. This risk assessment questionnaire would be exempt from the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act. To the extent that this bill imposes a new duty on a school district, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would make other conforming and nonsubstantive changes. 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, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.