Existing law requires that, as a condition of parole, a prisoner who has a severe mental health disorder, as specified, be treated by the State Department of State Hospitals, if the prisoner meets certain requirements, including, among others, that the person in charge of treating the prisoner and a practicing psychiatrist or psychologist from the State Department of State Hospitals have evaluated the prisoner and that a chief psychiatrist of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation certify to the Board of Parole Hearings that by reason of the prisoner's severe mental health disorder, the prisoner represents a substantial danger of physical harm to others. This bill would require that certain factors be considered in determining whether an offender poses a substantial danger of physical harm to others, including, but not limited to, a history of violent behavior and prior history of state hospital commitment. Existing law allows a prisoner to request a hearing before the Board of Parole Hearings for the purpose of proving that the prisoner meets the criteria to be treated by the State Department of State Hospitals. Existing law allows a prisoner who disagrees with the determination of the Board of Parole Hearings to file a petition in court for a hearing on whether they met the criteria and, if the court reverses the determination of the Board of Parole Hearings, existing law authorizes the court to require the parties to return to court to ensure that the entities involved in the release of the prisoner have coordinated an exit plan for the prisoner. This bill would require that an exit plan include the submission of an application for Medi-Cal benefits and a recommendation, as appropriate, to the supervising county's behavioral health department by a licensed behavioral health professional, as specified, supervising the treatment of, or treating, the prisoner for a mental health disorder for certain resources and programs, including substance use disorder treatment, assisted outpatient treatment, and early psychosis intervention services. Existing law, the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) , an initiative measure enacted by the voters as Proposition 63 at the November 2, 2004, statewide general election, funds a system of county mental health plans for the provision of mental health services, as specified. The MHSA establishes the Mental Health Services Fund, a continuously appropriated fund, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services (department) , to fund specified county mental health programs. Existing law, the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) , a legislative act amending the MHSA that was approved by the voters as Proposition 1 at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election, recast the MHSA by, among other things, renaming the fund to the Behavioral Health Services Fund and reallocating how moneys from that fund may be spent. The BHSA requires each county to establish and administer a full-service partnership program that includes, among other things, outpatient behavioral health services, as specified, and housing interventions. Existing law establishes criteria for an individual with a serious mental illness to be presumptively eligible for a full-service partnership, including, among other things, the person is transitioning to the community after 6 months or more in the state prison or county jail. This bill would add to the criteria for presumptively eligibility for a full-service partnership an individual transitioning to the community after 6 months or more in a state hospital. Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Existing law, the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) Act, supports the stated goals of identifying and managing the risk and needs of Medi-Cal beneficiaries, transitioning and transforming the Medi-Cal program to a more consistent and seamless system, and improving quality outcomes. Existing law makes a qualifying inmate of a public institution eligible, commencing no sooner than January 1, 2023, to receive targeted Medi-Cal services, limited to those services approved in the CalAIM Terms and Conditions for 90 days, as specified. This bill would also make a qualifying inmate of a state hospital eligible to receive targeted Medi-Cal services, as described. By expanding the population receiving benefits under the BHSA and to the extent that the bill would create new duties for counties relating to Medi-Cal eligibility determinations, 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, 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 the statutory provisions noted above.
(1) Existing federal law requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate health professional shortage areas and requires the secretary, in establishing criteria for the designation of those areas, to consider, among other things, the ratio of available health manpower to the number of individuals in an area or population group and indicators of a need for health services, as specified. Existing state law makes references to federally recognized or designated health professional shortage areas in various contexts, including, among others, the California Physician Corps Program, the California Reproductive Health Services Corps, the Oral Health Program, the Virtual Health Hub for Rural Communities Pilot Program, and health professions planning grants. This bill, until January 1, 2035, would define the term "health professional shortage area" to mean (1) an area determined by the Department of Health Care Access and Information to have a shortage of health professionals, (2) a health professional shortage area currently designated or recognized by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, or (3) an area designated or recognized as a health professional shortage area by the United States Department of Health and Human Services on January 1, 2025, regardless of whether that area remains designated or recognized by the United States Department of Health and Human Services as a health professional shortage area. The bill would authorize the Department of Health Care Access and Information to revoke designations, as specified. (2) Existing law requires specified boards, including the Board of Registered Nursing and the Respiratory Care Board of California, to collect certain workforce data from their respective licensees and registrants for future workforce planning at least biennially. Existing law requires other boards that regulate healing arts licensees or registrants to request workforce data from their respective licensees and registrants for future workforce planning at least biennially. Existing law requires the workforce data collected or requested to include specified information, including, among others, the type of employer or classification of primary practice site, as specified. Existing law prohibits a licensee or registrant from being required to provide the information as a condition for license or registration renewal and prohibits licensees or registrants from being subject to discipline for not providing the information. Existing law requires the boards and the Department of Health Care Access and Information to maintain the confidentiality of licensee and registrant information collected pursuant to these provisions and authorizes release of the information only in aggregate form. Existing law requires each board to provide individual licensee and registrant data to the Department of Health Care Access and Information on a quarterly basis, as specified. This bill would require the workforce data to be collected or requested by boards at the time a license or registration is issued, except as specified. The bill would require the information collected or requested by boards to also include, among other things, the hours worked in inpatient care, hours worked in outpatient care, and whether the licensee or registrant offers a formal sliding fee scale. The bill would instead require each board to provide licensee and registrant data on a monthly basis. (3) Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest. This bill would make legislative findings to that effect. (4) This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 502 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by SB 1271 to be operative only if this bill and SB 1271 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
Existing law, the Physical Therapy Practice Act, establishes the Physical Therapy Board of California to license and regulate physical therapists and the practice of physical therapy. A violation of the act is a crime. Existing law defines the terms "physical therapist," "physical therapist assistant," and "physical therapy" and sets forth the scope of practice of a physical therapist. Existing law authorizes only a licensed physical therapist to use the title "physical therapist" or the letters "P.T." or any other words, letters, or figures indicating that the person is a licensed physical therapist. Existing law requires the board to define those doctoral degrees that are in a related health science for specified provisions of the Physical Therapy Practice Act. Existing law authorizes a licensed physical therapist who has received a doctoral degree in physical therapy or, after the adoption of the above-described definition by the board, a doctoral degree in a related health science to, among other things, use the initials "DPT," "PhD," or "EdD", as applicable, in a written communication following the licensee's name. Existing regulations define a physical therapy related health science for the purpose of the above-described authorization to include, among other things, biology, biomechanics, and exercise physiology. This bill, among other changes to the act, would redefine "physical therapy," "physical therapist," and "physical therapist assistant" for purposes of the act, as specified. The bill would, among other things, prohibit the use of any words, abbreviation, or insignia implying that physical therapy is provided unless those services are provided by or under the direction of a licensed physical therapist. The bill would delete the requirement on the board to define the doctoral degrees that are in a related health science described above and would update those provisions to, instead, specify that the doctoral degrees in a related health science are those specified by the board in regulation. The bill would additionally authorize a licensed physical therapist who has received a doctoral degree in physical therapy or a related health science to use the initials "DSc", as applicable, following the licensee's name. This bill would delete existing requirements for the performance of tissue penetration by a physical therapist and instead would include within the practice of physical therapy the use of electrode needles to perform tissue penetration for the purpose of evaluating and interpreting performance of the neuromusculoskeletal system. Existing law prohibits a physical therapist from supervising more than 2 physical therapist assistants at one time and establishes conditions for the initiation of services by a physical therapist directly, including providing a specified notice, orally and in writing, to a patient that is signed by the patient. This bill would increase the number of physical therapist assistants a physical therapist is authorized to supervise from 2 to 3. The bill would require a physical therapist to refer a patient to a physician and surgeon or other appropriately licensed health care provider when the situation or condition of the patient is beyond the scope of the education and training of the physical therapist. The bill would repeal the notice and other requirements for the provision of direct physical therapy treatment services. Because the bill would expand the scope of a 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.
Existing law provides for the licensing and regulation of health facilities by the State Department of Public Health and generally makes a violation of those provisions a crime. Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, provides for the licensure and regulation of health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care and generally makes a willful violation of the act a crime. Existing law requires a health facility to provide emergency services and care upon request for any condition in which the person is in danger of loss of life or serious injury or illness. Existing law requires a health care service plan to reimburse providers for emergency services and care. Existing law defines "emergency services and care" for these purposes to mean medical screening, examination, and evaluation by a physician and surgeon, or other appropriate licensed persons under the supervision of a physician and surgeon, to determine if an emergency medical condition or active labor exists and, if it does, the care, treatment, and surgery, if within the scope of that person's license, necessary to relieve or eliminate the emergency medical condition, within the capability of the facility, among other things. This bill would specify that the above-described provisions would not require physician supervision of a licensed nurse-midwife in the labor and delivery unit, obstetric triage, or dedicated emergency obstetric evaluation unit, when the nurse-midwife is providing care to the extent authorized by, and consistent with, specified licensing and certification provisions, or when the nurse-midwife is specifically requested by the treating physician and surgeon to provide obstetric consultation. By changing the scope of a crime, this 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.
(1) The Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA) prohibits a provider of health care, a health care service plan, a contractor, or a corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates from intentionally sharing, selling, using for marketing, or otherwise using any medical information, as defined, for any purpose not necessary to provide health care services to a patient, except as provided. Existing law makes a violation of these provisions that results in economic loss or personal injury punishable as a misdemeanor. Existing law deems a business that offers a mental health digital service or reproductive or sexual health digital service to a consumer for the purpose of allowing the individual to manage the individual's information, or for the diagnosis, treatment, or management of a medical condition of the individual, to be a provider of health care subject to the requirements of the CMIA. The bill would additionally deem a business that offers a health care chatbot, as defined, to a consumer for the above-described purposes to be a provider of health care subject to the requirements of the CMIA. Because the bill would expand the scope of a crime, it would impose a state-mandated local program. (2) Existing law requires a health facility, clinic, physician's office, or office of a group practice that uses generative artificial intelligence to generate written or verbal patient communications pertaining to patient clinical information, as defined, to ensure that those communications include both a disclaimer that indicates to the patient that a communication was generated by generative artificial intelligence, as specified, and clear instructions describing how a patient may contact a human health care provider, employee, or other appropriate person, except as specified. This bill would require a health facility, clinic, physician's office, or office of a group practice to take reasonable steps to ensure that a licensed health care professional, acting within their scope of practice, retains the ability to exercise independent professional judgment in their care of a patient whenever that care is informed by the output of a clinical decision support system, as defined. The bill would prohibit a health facility, clinic, physician's office, or office of a group practice from using or deploying a tool, system, or device that includes artificial intelligence to independently perform any clinical function that is required by law to be performed by a person with a professional license. The bill would make a violation of these provisions by a physician subject to the jurisdiction of the Medical Board of California or the Osteopathic Medical Board of California. The bill would also authorize the appropriate professional licensing board to pursue an injunction or restraining order to enforce these provisions to the extent that a violation constitutes the practice of a health care profession without a license. The bill would specify that these provisions do not apply to the use of automated decision systems for documentation and communication that does not involve the application of professional judgment, including automated messages to inform patients of updates to their health records. (3) 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.
Existing law establishes the Board of Behavioral Sciences within the Department of Consumer Affairs and requires the board to regulate licensees and registrants under the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act (LMFTA) , the Educational Psychologist Practice Act (EPPA) , the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act (CSWPA) , and the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act (LPCCA) . Existing law makes a violation of those acts a crime. The LMFTA, the CSWPA, and the LPCCA each contain varying provisions limiting their application to the practice of certain medical and other behavioral science professionals, attorneys, and certain religious personnel, including priests, rabbis, and ministers of the gospel of any religious denomination. This bill would revise and recast those provisions to, among other things, exempt a religious official of any denomination, including those specified above and imams, when providing faith-based counseling services as part of their regular professional duties for an established and legally recognizable faith-based entity if certain criteria are met. The bill would also exempt attorneys and physicians who provide counseling services as part of their professional practice from the LMFTA and the LPCCA. Existing law establishes examination and experiential requirements under the LMFTA, the EPPA, the CSWPA, and the LPCCA to qualify for licensure or registration under those acts and requires an applicant for licensure or registration to have passed certain examinations or obtain specified experience within a certain timeline for it to be accepted by the board. In this regard, existing law generally requires the applicant to gain the required experience no more than 6 years before the board receives the application. For licensed educational psychologists, the EPPA authorizes the board to accept a passing score on a written examination administered by the board for a period of 7 years from the date the examination was taken. Under the LMFTA, the CSWPA, and the LPCCA, registrants and applicants for licensure, registration, or a subsequent registration number are required to pass a California law and ethics examination. The LMFTA, the CSWPA, and the LPCCA require an applicant for licensure to pass a clinical examination within 7 years from the initial attempt, unless the applicant obtains a passing score on the current version of the California law and ethics examination. This bill, instead, would require applicants for licensure under the LMFTA, the EPPA, the CSWPA, and the LPCCA, to obtain the relevant experience and to pass the relevant examination within 7 years preceding the date on which the board receives the application. The bill would require those applicants and registrants under the LMFTA, the CSWPA, and the LPCCA who submit applications to the board on and after January 1, 2030, to have passed the California law and ethics examination no more than 7 years before the board receives the application, as specified. Existing law authorizes an associate marriage and family therapist registration, an associate clinical social worker registration, or an associate professional clinical counselor registration to be renewed a maximum of 5 times and prohibits a registration from being renewed beyond 6 years from the last day of the month of issuance. Existing law authorizes an applicant to apply for a subsequent registration number when no renewals are possible if certain requirements are met. Existing law prohibits an applicant who is issued a subsequent associate registration number from being employed or volunteering in a private practice. This bill would increase the maximum number of renewals for those registrations to 6 and would extend the renewal deadline to 7 years from the last day of the month of issuance. The bill would authorize an applicant applying for or holding a subsequent associate registration number to request a 2-year hardship extension of the subsequent associate registration number to allow them to be employed or volunteer at one private practice or professional corporation employer, subject to specified conditions and requirements, including signing an application under penalty of perjury. By expanding the crime of perjury, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing law requires an associate marriage and family therapist or a marriage and family therapist trainee to disclose to a client or patient that they are unlicensed and to provide specified information to the client or patient. Existing law requires a social work applicant or registrant and a clinical counselor trainee, applicant, or associate to inform each client or patient that they are unlicensed and under supervision, as specified. This bill would instead require a marriage and family therapist applicant or registrant, a social work applicant, registrant, intern, or trainee, or a clinical counselor applicant, associate, or trainee, in addition to disclosing to a client or patient that they are unlicensed and under supervision, to provide the name of their employer or the entity for which they volunteer. Existing law establishes a $20 fee for rescoring a written examination under the LMFTA, the EPPA, the CSWPA, and the LPCCA. This bill would delete that fee. This bill would delete obsolete provisions and make other technical and nonsubstantive changes. This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 4980.41 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by SB 1445 to be operative only if this bill and SB 1445 are enacted and this bill is enacted last. 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.
Existing law, the Nurse Anesthetists Act, provides for the certification and regulation of nurse anesthetists by the Board of Registered Nursing. Existing law requires the utilization of a nurse anesthetist to provide anesthesia services in an acute care facility to be approved by the acute care facility administration and the appropriate committee, as defined, and at the discretion of the physician, dentist, or podiatrist. Existing law makes a nurse anesthetist who is not an employee of an acute care facility subject to the bylaws of the facility. This bill would expressly provide that a nurse anesthetist is authorized to perform anesthesia services. The bill would define "anesthesia services" for purposes of the act to mean, among other things, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care and pain management provided by a nurse anesthetist for patients receiving anesthesia pursuant to an order by a physician, dentist, or podiatrist for anesthesia services. Under the bill, an order by a physician, dentist, or podiatrist for anesthesia services for a specific patient would be deemed the authorization for the nurse anesthetist to select and implement the modality of anesthesia for the patient and to abort or modify the modality of anesthesia during the course of care. The bill would provide that the selection and administration of medication by a nurse anesthetist for preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care and for pain management purposes pursuant to an order by a physician, dentist, or podiatrist shall not constitute a prescription as that term is defined in a specified provision of federal law. The bill would state that the provisions of the Nurse Anesthetists Act are declaratory of existing law and of an advisory opinion, including specified case law.
(1) Existing law, the Massage Therapy Act, provides for the certification and regulation of massage professionals by the California Massage Therapy Council, which is a private nonprofit organization governed by a board of directors composed of 13 members. Existing law requires one member to be appointed by the office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, and authorizes the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools to appoint one member. Existing law requires one member to be a certified massage therapist or a certified massage practitioner who is a California resident who has practiced massage for at least 3 years before appointment and is selected by a specified professional society, association, or other entity the membership of which is composed of massage therapist professionals, and that chooses to participate in the council. This bill would remove the above-described appointment of one member by the office of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, and would limit the appointment authority of the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools by requiring that their appointed member represent an approved massage school. The bill would add an additional member who is a certified massage therapist or a certified massage practitioner who is selected by a specified professional society, association, or other entity, as described above, and would make conforming changes related to that provision. Existing law authorizes the council to take any reasonable actions necessary to carry out the responsibilities and duties set forth in the Massage Therapy Act, including hiring staff. This bill would prohibit the total annual salary for any individual employed or contracted by the council from exceeding the annual salary provided to certain state officers during that fiscal year. Existing law requires the council to issue a certificate to practice massage therapy to an applicant who meets specified qualifications, including that the applicant has successfully completed at least 500 hours in the curricula in massage and related subjects, as specified, from approved schools. Existing law requires the council to determine whether the school from which an applicant has obtained their education meets the requirement of the Massage Therapy Act. If the council has any reason to question whether or not the applicant received that education from the school or schools that the applicant is claiming, existing law requires the council to investigate the facts to determine that the applicant received the education before issuing the certificate. This bill would authorize, instead of require, the council to conduct that investigation regarding the applicant's education, as described above. The bill would require an applicant who meets all of the other requirements for certification and who received the instruction described above at an approved school that was not under formal investigation at the time at which the applicant began instruction but was subsequently placed under investigation by the council to, as a condition of certification, have the opportunity for an interview or educational hearing, as specified, provided that their application for certification was submitted to the council no more than 90 days from the date of a final decision by the council to revoke the school's approval. The bill would require the council to issue a certificate to any applicant who successfully passes the interview or hearing, provided that the school at which the applicant completed the instruction was a school approved by the council within 90 days from the date the applicant submitted their application for certification and was considered to be in good standing, as specified, at the time the applicant passed the interview or hearing. Existing law, beginning January 1, 2027, also requires an applicant to pass a massage and bodywork competency assessment examination that meets generally recognized psychometric principles and standards and that is approved by the council, as specified. The bill would remove the requirement that an applicant pass a massage and bodywork competency assessment examination as described above, and would require an approved massage school, upon each student's completion of curriculum at the massage school, to provide notice to the student that the massage and bodywork competency assessment examination is not a requirement for certification but may be required for licensure or certification as a massage therapist in any other state. Existing law requires a certificate holder to notify the council within 30 days of any changes in the certificate holder's home address or the address of any massage establishment or other location where the certificate holder provides massage for compensation, except as specified. This bill would also require a certificate holder to notify the council within 30 days of any changes in the certificate holder's legal name. Existing law makes it a violation of the Massage Therapy Act for an applicant or certificate holder to commit certain acts, and makes the commission of those acts grounds for the council to deny an application for a certificate or to impose discipline on a certificate holder. Those acts include being convicted of any felony, misdemeanor, infraction, or municipal code violation, providing massage of female breasts without the written consent of the person receiving the massage and a referral from a licensed California health care provider, and dressing in certain attire or manners while engaged in the practice of massage for compensation, or while visible to clients in a massage establishment as specified. This bill would specify that the council may take action for a conviction, as described above, when the time for appeal has elapsed, the judgment of conviction has been affirmed on appeal, or an order granting probation is made suspending the imposition of sentence. The bill would define a "conviction" for these purposes to mean a judgment following a plea or verdict of guilty, a plea of nolo contendere, or a finding of guilt. The bill would also revise and recast the above-described acts that are considered a violation of the Massage Therapy Act. In this regard, the bill would remove the requirement of a referral from a licensed California health care provider to provide massage of female breasts. The bill would remove the list of prohibited attire or manners of dressing while engaged in the practice of massage for compensation, or while visible to clients in a massage establishment, except that the bill would maintain the prohibition on dressing in a manner that is deemed by the council to constitute unprofessional attire based on the custom and practice of the profession in California. The bill would also include among those specified acts that are considered a violation the determination of being a threat to public safety based on mental health reasons by a medical or mental health professional, or the rendering of a finding of not guilty in a criminal proceeding by reason of insanity. Existing law authorizes a board to deny a license on the grounds that the applicant has been convicted of a crime or was subject to formal discipline within the preceding 7 years from the date of application based on professional misconduct that is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of the business or profession for which the present application is made, as specified and subject to certain exceptions. This bill would require the denial of an initial certificate to practice massage therapy on the grounds that the applicant has been convicted of a crime or has been subject to formal discipline as provided under the act to be consistent with the above-described provisions authorizing a board to deny a license on certain grounds. Existing law requires the council to follow specified procedures for deciding upon and imposing the denial of a certificate or the discipline of a certificate holder under the Massage Therapy Act. Existing law requires, with certain exceptions, the council to provide an opportunity for the applicant or certificate holder to be heard, orally or in writing, not less than 5 days before the effective date of the denial or discipline, by a person or body authorized to decide whether the proposed denial or discipline should go into effect. This bill would require the person or body authorized to make that decision to be qualified. The bill would authorize an applicant or certificate holder to request an appeal of a final decision of the council to deny a certificate or discipline a certificate holder by submitting a request in writing within 30 days of the date of the final decision. In this regard, the bill would require a request to appeal a final decision to be considered by a committee of the board of directors within 120 days of the final decision, as specified. If a request to appeal is granted, the bill would require the appeal of the final decision to be heard at the next board of directors meeting, as specified, that is at least 120 days from the date that the request to appeal was granted, except as specified. The bill would require the council to notify the applicant or certificate holder of its right to request an appeal pursuant to these provisions at the time of the final decision. Existing law requires the council to develop policies, procedures, rules, or bylaws governing the requirements and processes for approving, denying approval of, imposing corrective action on, or unapproving schools from which applicants obtain their education, as specified. Existing law requires the council, on or before one year from the date the council receives an initial application for approval as a school, to approve the school, propose to deny approval of the school, or notify the school that corrective action is required, and authorizes the council to deny the application of a school that fails to adequately rectify the deficiencies. Existing law authorizes a school to appeal the council's final decision to deny approval of the school, and requires the appeal to be heard at the next board of directors meeting, as specified. This bill would require the council to notify the school of its right to appeal pursuant to these provisions at the time of the final decision. Existing law states the intent of the Legislature that, among other things, the Massage Therapy Act enables consumers and local government to more easily identify certified massage professionals and provide for consistent statewide certification and oversight of massage professionals. Existing law repeals the Massage Therapy Act on January 1, 2026. This bill would also state the intent of the Legislature that, among other things, both state and local regulation of massage therapy reflect the recognized status of certified massage professionals as health care providers. The bill would instead repeal the act on January 1, 2030. Existing law, the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, requires, with specified exceptions, that all meetings of a state body be open and public and all persons be permitted to attend any meeting of a state body. The act imposes various requirements on a state body holding a meeting subject to the act, including, among other things, requiring the state body to provide notice of its meeting to any person who requests that notice in writing. The Massage Therapy Act requires meetings of the council to be subject to the rules of the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, and authorizes the board to adopt additional policies and procedures that provide greater transparency to certificate holders and the public than required by the act. This bill would, except as otherwise provided in the Massage Therapy Act, require meetings of the council to be governed by either Rosenberg's Rules of Order or Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised. The bill would require the council to provide a meaningful opportunity for public participation in the adoption, amendment, or repeal of any policies, procedures, rules, or bylaws that substantially impact the rights, benefits, privileges, duties, obligations, or responsibilities of individuals or entities subject to certification or approval by the council, including, among other things, actions by the council to increase fees. In this regard, the bill would require the council, at a minimum, to publish the complete text of any policies, procedures, rules, or bylaws proposed for adoption, amendment, or repeal along with a summary of the changes being considered for a period of at least 45 calendar days before the adoption, amendment, or repeal, and to accept written public comments during the 45-day period and allow further public comment during a meeting held for these purposes. Existing law, the California Public Records Act, requires state and local agencies to make their records available for public inspection, unless an exemption from disclosure applies. This bill would require the council, beginning July 1, 2027, and to the extent practicable, to make the records of the council available for public inspection in a manner consistent with the California Public Records Act, as specified, and would authorize the council to charge for the direct costs of responding to requests for records, as specified. (2) Existing law establishes the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009, which provides for student protections and regulatory oversight of private postsecondary educational institutions, as defined, in the state. The act is enforced by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education within the Department of Consumer Affairs. Existing law requires an institution with an approval to operate under the act that knows that it is being investigated by an oversight entity other than the bureau to report that investigation, as defined, to the bureau in writing within 30 days of the institution's first knowledge of the investigation, and requires an institution with an approval to operate under the act that is the subject of a judgment by, a regulatory action by, increased oversight or monitoring by, or a settlement with, any oversight entity other than the bureau to report it to the bureau within 30 days. Existing law defines "oversight entity" for these purposes to include, among other entities, a governmental agency. This bill would also include any private entity authorized pursuant to any provision of the Business and Professions Code to approve schools or educational programs for purposes of a professional certification as an "oversight entity" for the above-described purposes.
(1) Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of various healing arts practitioners by boards within the Department of Consumer Affairs. Existing law provides an exemption from these requirements for a health care practitioner licensed in another state who offers or provides health care for which the practitioner is licensed during a state of emergency, as defined, and upon request of the Director of the Emergency Medical Services Authority, as specified. This bill would exempt health care practitioners licensed in another state, territory, or country from certain healing arts licensure, certification, or registration requirements, as described above, while providing professional services at Olympic and Paralympic activities, as defined, if the health care practitioner has been invited by the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games to provide those services and the committee provides specified information to the Director of Consumer Affairs. The bill would specify that the exemption applies while the health care practitioner is providing professional services at the invitation of the committee and only during the time sanctioned by the committee. This bill would authorize the official team representative who is responsible for any member participating in Olympic and Paralympic activities to give consent to the furnishing of professional services to a team member who, due to age, disability, or injury, is not able to personally consent in the event the consent of a parent, guardian, or legal representative of a team member cannot be obtained. The bill would specify that in the case of emergency, the consent of the parent, guardian, or legal representative of the team member would not be necessary in order to authorize the performance of professional services. (2) Existing law sets forth various powers and responsibilities for the State Department of Public Health concerning communicable disease prevention and control, in relation to persons, animals, and places, as necessary to protect or preserve the public health. This bill would require that the list of immunizations, items, and services that were recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) , the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) , and the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) that were in effect on January 1, 2025, serve as a baseline of recommendations and would authorize the State Department of Public Health, notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, to modify or supplement those baseline recommendations, as specified. The bill would require the department to publish recommendations and any updates, modifications, or supplements. (3) Existing law authorizes various healing arts licensees, including dentists, doctors of podiatric medicine, optometrists, and pharmacists, to independently prescribe, initiate, or administer specified immunizations approved or authorized by the United States Food and Drug Administration in compliance with specified recommendations, including those by the ACIP. This bill would instead authorize those licensees to prescribe, initiate, or administer specified immunizations in a manner consistent with a recommendation made by the State Department of Public Health, as specified. (4) Existing law provides for the licensure, registration, and regulation of clinical laboratories and various clinical laboratory personnel by the State Department of Public Health. Existing law requires the fees or charges accompanying an application for the issuance or renewal of these licenses, among others, to be adjusted annually by the percentage change printed in the Budget Act and determined by dividing the General Fund appropriation to Laboratory Field Services in the current state fiscal year by the General Fund appropriation to Laboratory Field Services in the preceding state fiscal year. Commencing January 1, 1995, upon establishment of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Fund, existing law requires this annual adjustment to be determined by dividing the current fiscal year appropriation to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Fund by the General Fund appropriation to Laboratory Field Services of the department in the preceding fiscal year. Existing law also requires these fees and charges to be adjusted annually by a percentage determined by dividing the total amount of federal funds available for all programs in Laboratory Field Services of the department during the federal fiscal year ending on September 30 of the year immediately preceding the effective date of the change in fees, as specified. This bill would delete the above provisions pertaining to the annual adjustment of fees or charges and replace them with a requirement that the annual adjustment be done by the department to cover the estimated licensing program costs. Existing law requires a tissue bank, as defined, to have a current and valid tissue bank license. Under existing law, the application and annual renewal fee for a tissue bank license is $950, adjusted annually by a percentage listed in the Budget Act. This bill would adjust the fees or charges for a tissue bank license annually pursuant to the provision above requiring the annual adjustment be done by the department to cover the estimated licensing program costs. This bill would additionally revise the application, registration, and license fees for clinical laboratories and clinical laboratory personnel. (5) Existing federal law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) , requires each state to establish an American Health Benefit Exchange to facilitate the purchase of qualified health benefit plans by qualified individuals and qualified small employers. PPACA defines a "qualified health plan" as a plan that, among other requirements, provides an essential health benefits package. Existing state law creates the California Health Benefit Exchange, also known as Covered California, to facilitate the enrollment of qualified individuals and qualified small employers in qualified health plans as required under PPACA. Existing law establishes the Health Care Affordability Reserve Fund to be used, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for health care affordability programs operated by the Exchange. If a qualified health plan is required to cover state-mandated gender-affirming care benefits determined to be in addition to essential health benefits, this bill would require the Exchange to provide payments to issuers of qualified health plans to defray the costs of offering those benefits for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, subject to an appropriation by the Legislature. The bill would authorize the Health Care Affordability Reserve Fund to be used, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for these payments. (6) Existing law establishes the State Department of Public Health and sets forth its powers and duties, including, but not limited to, duties relating to the licensing and regulation of various entities, including clinics. Existing law exempts specified clinics from these licensure requirements, including, among others, certain federal clinics, clinics maintained as outpatient departments of hospitals, and student health centers operated by public institutions of higher education. This bill would exempt from the above-described licensure requirements a clinic approved by, and that provides health care services at locations designated or sanctioned by, the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games from May 15, 2028, to September 15, 2028, inclusive. (7) Existing law, the Emergency Medical Services System and the Prehospital Emergency Medical Care Personnel Act, establishes the Emergency Medical Services Authority, which is responsible for the coordination of various state activities concerning emergency medical services (EMS) , including, among others, establishing minimum standards and promulgating regulations for the training and scope of practice for an Emergency Medical Technician I and II (EMT-I and EMT-II) and Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) . Existing law requires the authority to have a chief medical officer who is required to provide clinical leadership and oversight concerning treatment, education, and other matters involving medical decisionmaking and delivery of patient care. This bill, notwithstanding any other law, would exempt from the EMS licensure, certification, or accreditation requirements of this state an EMT-I, EMT-II, EMT-P, or similar EMS provider, as defined, licensed or certified in another state or territory of the United States, who provides EMS for which they are licensed, if they are authorized by the chief medical officer of the authority to provide EMS at sites in this state sanctioned by the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and associated with the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The bill would require the chief medical officer to authorize those EMS personnel based on system needs and informed by committee needs, qualifications of the emergency medical services personnel, and public safety considerations. The bill would prohibit EMS providers authorized by the chief medical officer from being liable for any act or omission taken in good faith while providing authorized services. The bill would require authorization pursuant to these provisions to be valid from May 15, 2028, to September 15, 2028, inclusive, or until authorization is otherwise withdrawn by the chief medical officer. (8) Existing law requires the State Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to annually report to certain legislative committees, and publicly post, a summary of outcome and expenditure data with regard to outcome measures for alcohol and drug program services, as specified. This bill would repeal the above-described reporting and publication provisions. (9) Existing law requires DHCS to provide certain legislative committees with biannual updates on caseload, estimated expenditures, and related program monitoring data for the Every Woman Counts (EWC) Program, as specified. Existing law requires that expenditures for the EWC Program included in the department's budget for services provided on or after July 1, 2017, be charged against the appropriation for the fiscal year in which the billing is paid. This bill would delete the above-described requirements relating to the EWC Program. (10) Existing law establishes the public policy of the state that pupils are advised to adhere to current immunization guidelines, as recommended by, among other entities, the ACIP. Existing law prohibits the governing authority of a school or other institution from unconditionally admitting any person as a pupil unless, before the person's admission to that institution, the person has been fully immunized against various diseases, including any disease deemed appropriate by the State Department of Public Health, taking into consideration recommendations of various entities, including the ACIP. Existing law requires a medical exemption form and the appeal process for revocation of a medical exemption to be consistent with specified guidelines, including those by the ACIP. This bill would delete certain references to the ACIP and replace other references to the ACIP with the State Department of Public Health. Some of these provisions would be operative beginning July 1, 2026. To the extent that this bill imposes new duties on a local education agency, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (11) Existing law, from October 1 to the following April 1, inclusive, of each year, requires specified health facilities to offer immunizations for influenza and pneumococcal disease to residents or inpatients 65 years of age or older who are receiving services at the facility, based upon the latest recommendations of specified entities, including the ACIP. This bill would replace those references to ACIP with the State Department of Public Health. Existing law requires the State Department of Public Health to post on its internet website educational information regarding influenza in accordance with the latest recommendations of the ACIP. This bill would replace the reference to ACIP with the State Department of Public Health. (12) Existing law, the Hereditary Disorders Act, requires the State Department of Public Health to license genetic counselors and temporary genetic counselors who meet specified requirements. Existing law prohibits the license fee from exceeding $200 for an original license, license renewal, or temporary license. Existing law requires all moneys collected by the department under the act to be deposited in the Genetic Disease Testing Fund, which is continuously appropriated to the department to carry out the purposes of the act. This bill would instead set the fee for an original license, license renewal, and temporary license at $300. The bill would authorize the department to adjust those fees to an amount not to exceed $500. The bill would require the department to solicit input from affected stakeholders before raising these fees. By authorizing additional moneys to be deposited into a continuously appropriated fund, the bill would make an appropriation. (13) Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, provides for the licensure and regulation of health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care, and makes a willful violation of the act a crime. Existing law provides for the regulation of health insurers by the Department of Insurance. Existing law requires specified health care service plan contracts, or specified disability or health insurance policies, to cover an evidence-based item, service, or immunization that has in effect a specified rating in the recommendations of the USPSTF or an immunization that has in effect a recommendation from specified entities, including the ACIP. Existing law also requires specified health care service plans or disability insurers to offer benefits for the comprehensive prevention care of children consistent with the most current version of the Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule/United States, jointly adopted by various entities, including the ACIP. This bill would require those health care service plan contracts or disability or health insurance policies to cover an evidence-based item, service, or immunization that had in effect on January 1, 2025, a specified rating in the recommendations of USPSTF. The bill would replace references to the ACIP with the State Department of Public Health. Because a willful violation of these provisions by a health care service plan would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (14) Existing federal law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) , requires each state to establish an American Health Benefit Exchange to facilitate the purchase of qualified health benefit plans by qualified individuals and qualified small employers. Existing state law creates the California Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) , also known as Covered California, for this purpose. PPACA generally prohibits the use of federal funds for abortion services, but if a qualified health plan provides abortion coverage, PPACA requires the issuer of the plan to collect specified amounts from each enrollee and deposit those funds into a segregated account to be used to pay for abortion services. Under state law, the Exchange makes those payments to qualified health plans on behalf of enrollees. Existing state law requires a health care service plan that provides a qualified health plan through the Exchange to report to the Director of the Department of Managed Health Care the total amount of funds maintained in a segregated account. This bill would establish the Abortion Access Fund, a continuously appropriated fund, to provide funding for abortion services, including for abortion services funded through grants to provide abortion access. The bill would authorize the Department of Health Care Access and Information to distribute moneys in the fund through grants and contracts. Under the bill, contracts, grants, and related information would be exempt from public disclosure. From the 2025–26 fiscal year to the 2028–29 fiscal year, inclusive, the bill would require the Director of the Department of Managed Health Care to order a health care service plan that provides a qualified health plan through the Exchange to transfer to the Abortion Access Fund up to the total amount previously funded by the Exchange, not to exceed a specified percentage of the ending balance in its segregated account, and would require a plan to complete the transfer. Because a willful violation of the bill's requirements relative to health care service plans would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (15) Under existing law, the Breast Cancer Fund consists of the Breast Cancer Research Account and the Breast Cancer Control Account. Under existing law, revenues from a specified cigarette tax are deposited into the fund and divided equally between the 2 accounts, to be allocated upon appropriation. Existing law requires any entity funded by the Breast Cancer Control Program to collect data and maintain records that are determined by the State Department of Public Health to be necessary to facilitate the department's ability to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the entities and the program. Existing law requires the department to submit an annual report to the Legislature and any other appropriate entity. This bill would switch the jurisdiction from the State Department of Public Health to DHCS for purposes of the above-described and other related provisions. The bill would make certain changes to the required contents of the report. Existing law requires the State Department of Public Health to provide for breast cancer screening services at the level of funding budgeted from state and other resources during the fiscal year in which the Legislature has appropriated funds to the department for this purpose, with administrative or indirect costs not exceeding certain limits. This bill would delete those provisions. (16) Existing law establishes the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, administered by the California Health and Human Services Agency and its departments, as applicable. Under existing law, the purpose of the initiative is to transform the state's behavioral health system into an innovative ecosystem in which all children and youth 25 years of age and younger, regardless of payer, are screened, supported, and served for emerging and existing behavioral health needs. Existing law requires DHCS, or a contracted vendor, to provide competitive grants to qualified entities to build partnerships, capacity, and infrastructure supporting ongoing school-linked behavioral health services, among other purposes, for children and youth 25 years of age and younger. For these purposes, existing law requires the department to develop and maintain a school-linked statewide fee schedule for outpatient mental health or substance use disorder treatment provided to a student who is 25 years of age or younger at a schoolsite. Existing law requires the department to develop and maintain a school-linked statewide provider network of schoolsite behavioral health counselors. Existing law authorizes the department to contract with an entity to administer the school-linked statewide behavioral health provider network. Existing law requires that administrator to, among other things, create and administer a process for the submission and reimbursement of eligible claims. This bill would require the department to convene a working group twice each year of specified stakeholders, including, among others, behavioral health providers and local educational agencies, to discuss the status of, and receive feedback regarding, the implementation of the fee schedule. The bill would require a contracted administrator to automate the matching of student records with health plan enrollment information and to reimburse claims pursuant to claim payment deadlines, as specified. The bill would require the California Health and Human Service Agency to publish a manual to assist a local educational agency with navigating certain federal laws. (17) Existing law, the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program, requires all applicants for or recipients of CalWORKs to ensure and provide documentation that each child in the assistance unit who is not required to be enrolled in school has received all age-appropriate immunizations. Existing law requires all applicants and recipients to be given notice of that obligation and for the notice to include specified recommended childhood immunization schedules, as approved by various entities, including the ACIP. This bill would remove the reference to the ACIP and replace it with the State Department of Public Health, as specified. (18) Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by DHCS and under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Existing law sets a schedule of benefits that are covered by the Medi-Cal program. This bill would require that vaccines and immunizations are covered in accordance with a recommendation from ACIP, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and any modification or supplement to a recommendation adopted by the State Department of Public Health. The bill would make the implementation of this provision contingent to the extent that federal financial participation is available and any necessary federal approvals are obtained. (19) Existing law prohibits the use of an assets or resources test for individuals whose income eligibility for Medi-Cal is determined based on the application of a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) . Existing law prohibits, until January 1, 2026, the use of resources to determine Medi-Cal eligibility for applicants or beneficiaries whose eligibility is not determined using the MAGI-based financial methods, subject to receipt of any necessary federal approvals. Under existing law, operative on January 1, 2026, for those applicants or beneficiaries whose eligibility is not determined using the MAGI-based financial methods, DHCS is required to seek federal approval to implement a disregard of $130,000 in nonexempt property for a case with one member and $65,000 for each additional household member, up to a maximum of 10 members. Existing law requires that provision to be implemented only after the Director of Health Care Services determines that systems have been programmed for the disregards and they communicate that determination in writing to the Department of Finance. This bill would additionally specify that the above-described implementation condition occur no sooner than January 1, 2026. (20) Existing law sets forth provisions for the transition of certain children from the former Healthy Families Program to the Medi-Cal program. Existing law requires DHCS to provide monthly status reports to certain legislative committees on the transition, with a final comprehensive report provided within 90 days after completion of the last phase of transition. This bill would delete the above-described reporting requirement. (21) Existing law establishes a program, known as the 250% Working Disabled Program (250% WDP) , under which certain working persons with disabilities are eligible for Medi-Cal benefits based on a net countable income of less than 250% of the federal poverty level and other specified criteria. Existing law requires DHCS to report to the Governor and the Legislature any information that DHCS gathers that may explain the low participation rates in 250% WDP and any recommendations on increasing participation, as specified. This bill would repeal the above-described reporting provision. (22) The federal Medicaid program prohibits payment to a state for medical assistance furnished to an alien who is not lawfully admitted for permanent residence or otherwise permanently residing in the United States under color of law. Existing state law extends Medi-Cal eligibility for the full scope of Medi-Cal benefits to individuals who do not have satisfactory immigration status if they are otherwise eligible for those benefits, with the exception of specified dental benefits for individuals who are 19 years of age or older. Existing law makes an individual who is 19 years of age or older, who does not have satisfactory immigration status, and who applies for Medi-Cal on or after January 1, 2026, eligible only for pregnancy-related services and emergency medical treatment. Existing law, beginning no sooner than July 1, 2026, or July 1, 2027, as specified, requires individuals who do not have satisfactory immigration status, who are not pregnant, and who are 19 to 59 years of age, inclusive, to pay a monthly premium of $30, subject to certain exceptions. This bill would make certain nonminor dependents and foster youths exempt from the service limitations and monthly premium provisions described above. The bill would require the monthly premium payments described above to begin no sooner than July 1, 2027, and make other technical and conforming changes. (23) Existing law requires DHCS to implement a process that allows applicants and beneficiaries of certain Medi-Cal programs to self-certify the amount and nature of assets and income without the need to submit income or asset documentation. Existing law requires DHCS to implement the process in 2 phases, with the first phase in 2 counties and the 2nd phase statewide, with each county agreeing to meet all federal requirements for income, resource, and other verifications and to perform determinations and verifications in a timely manner. Existing law requires DHCS to promptly provide certain legislative committees with an evaluation of the process and its impact on the Medi-Cal program. This bill would delete certain provisions relating to the 2 phases, including the evaluation requirement. (24) Existing law, under Medi-Cal provisions, requires DHCS to enter into demonstration contracts with manufacturers of medical supplies for 4 items of its own selection of medical supplies existing on the pharmacy claims processing system, for the purpose of establishing rebates or other cost-saving mechanisms and demonstrating cost savings in the purchase of these medical supplies. This bill would repeal those and related provisions. The bill would make conforming changes to other provisions. (25) Existing law requires DHCS to establish a 2-year pilot program to utilize the federal Public Assistance Reporting Information System (PARIS) to identify veterans and their dependents or survivors who are enrolled in the Medi-Cal program and assist them in obtaining federal veteran health care benefits. Existing law requires DHCS to monitor the pilot program, evaluate the outcomes and savings, and provide the fiscal committees of the Legislature with a report on the findings and recommendations. This bill would delete the above-described monitoring, evaluation, and reporting requirements. (26) Existing law, operative until July 1, 2025, requires DHCS to work with stakeholders to conduct a study to identify current requirements for medical interpretation services and make recommendations on strategies that may be employed regarding the provision of medical interpretation services for Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are limited English proficient (LEP) . Existing law requires the department to establish a pilot project to evaluate certain factors, including whether disparities in care are reduced, with respect to LEP Medi-Cal beneficiaries compared with Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are proficient in English. Existing law requires the department to expend up to $5,000,000 for the pilot project pursuant to an appropriation made in the Budget Act of 2019, and makes those funds available for that purpose until June 30, 2025. This bill would extend the operation of these provisions until July 1, 2026, and make those funds available for expenditure, encumbrance, and liquidation until June 30, 2026. By extending the period of time in which previously appropriated funds are available for expenditure, encumbrance, and liquidation, the bill would make an appropriation. (27) Existing law requires the Office of Family Planning within DHCS to submit a biennial report to the Legislature on specified subjects relating to family planning services. This bill would instead require the office to post annual reports on its internet website. (28) Existing law requires the former State Department of Health Services, whose functions were transferred to other departments, to provide certain legislative committees with quarterly updates regarding core activities to improve the Medi‑Cal managed care program and county expansion, as specified. This bill would repeal those reporting provisions. (29) Existing law requires the former State Department of Mental Health, whose functions were transferred to other departments, to provide certain legislative committees with semiannual updates regarding key results and funding for the capital costs associated with development, acquisition, construction, and rehabilitation of permanent supportive housing for individuals with mental illness, as specified. This bill would repeal those reporting provisions. (30) Existing law authorizes the State Public Health Officer, to the extent allowable under federal law, and upon the availability of funds, to expend moneys from the continuously appropriated AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) Rebate Fund for a program to cover the costs of prescribed ADAP formulary medications for the prevention of HIV infection and other specified costs. Existing law authorizes the State Department of Public Health to spend up to $75,000,000 from the ADAP Rebate Fund to support current or eligible HIV services and programs, as specified. Existing law prescribes the allocation of those funds, including by authorizing up to $65,000,000 of that $75,000,000 to be spent to supplement or fund services, programs, or initiatives for which federal funding has been reduced or eliminated and making $9,000,000 available to fund state and local disease intervention specialists. This bill would make up to $18,000,000 of the above-described $65,000,000 available for state operations and would make up to $1,640,000 of the above-described $9,000,000 available for state operations. By adding to the purposes for which the ADAP Rebate Fund may be spent, the bill would make an appropriation. (31) Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest. This bill would make legislative findings to that effect. (32) 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 with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above. (33) This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as a bill providing for appropriations related to the Budget Bill.
Existing law, the Nursing Practice Act, establishes the Board of Registered Nursing to license and regulate the practice of nursing. The act prohibits a person from engaging in the practice of nursing without an active license but authorizes a student to render nursing services incidental to the student's course of study, as specified. This bill would additionally authorize a student to render nursing services if the student is a resident of the state and enrolled in a prelicensure distance education nursing program based at an out-of-state private postsecondary educational institution, as defined, for the purpose of gaining clinical experience in a clinical setting that meets certain criteria, including that the program is accredited by a programmatic accreditation entity recognized by the United States Department of Education and that the program maintains minimum faculty to student ratios required of board-approved programs for inperson clinical experiences. The bill would require the student to be supervised in person by a registered nurse licensed by the board while rendering nursing services. The bill would prohibit a clinical agency or facility from offering clinical experience placements to an out-of-state private postsecondary educational institution if the placements are needed to fulfill the clinical experience requirements of in-state students enrolled in a board-approved nursing program.
