Sen. Jerry Hill

This measure would proclaim June 2012 as Scleroderma Awareness Month.

Existing law establishes the California State University, under the administration of the Trustees of the California State University, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in the state. This bill would prohibit, from August 1, 2012, to June 30, 2014, inclusive, the Trustees of the California State University from entering into, or renewing, a contract that provides for a compensation increase for a California State University employee whose annual salary exceeds $200,000 from General Fund sources, as defined, in the fiscal year during which the contract is executed, relative to the immediately prior contract for that same position. The bill would prohibit, on or after July 1, 2014, and until July 1, 2018, the trustees from entering into, or renewing, a contract that provides for a compensation increase of more than 10% for a California State University employee whose annual salary exceeds $200,000 from General Fund sources in the fiscal year during which the contract is executed, relative to the immediately prior contract for that position. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.

Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California within the Department of Consumer Affairs, which licenses physicians and surgeons and regulates their practice. The Medical Practice Act restricts the employment of licensed physicians and surgeons and podiatrists by a corporation or other artificial legal entity, subject to specified exemptions. Existing law makes it unlawful to knowingly make, or cause to be made, any false or fraudulent claim for payment of a health care benefit, or to aid, abet, solicit, or conspire with any person to do so, and makes a violation of this prohibition a public offense. This bill, with respect to a business organization that provides outpatient elective cosmetic medical procedures or treatments, that is owned and operated in violation of the prohibition against employment of licensed physicians and surgeons and podiatrists, and that contracts with or employs these licensees to facilitate the offer or provision of procedures or treatments that may only be provided by these licensees, would make that business organization guilty of a violation of the prohibition against knowingly making or causing to be made any false or fraudulent claim for payment of a health care benefit. The bill would prohibit construing its provisions to alter or apply to any arrangements currently authorized by law. Because the bill would expand a public offense, it would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would state that its provisions are declaratory of existing law. 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.

The Civil Discovery Act provides a comprehensive procedure for the noticing, conduct, and transcription or recording of oral depositions. Existing law requires the party noticing the deposition to bear the cost of the transcription, unless the court, on motion and for good cause, orders that the cost be borne or shared by another party. The requesting attorney or a party representing himself or herself is required to timely pay the deposition officer or entity providing the services of the deposition officer for the transcription, and any other deposition products or services that are requested. This bill would require the requesting attorney or a party representing himself or herself, upon the written request of a deposition officer who has obtained a final judgment for payment of services provided pursuant to the provisions described above, to provide to the deposition officer an address that can be used to effectuate service of summons by personal delivery, as specified.

This measure would memorialize the Legislature's disagreement with the decision of the United States Supreme Court in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, and would call upon the United States Congress to propose and send to the states for ratification a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission and to restore constitutional rights and fair elections to the people.

Existing law prohibits smoking of tobacco products inside an enclosed space, as defined, at a place of employment. The violation of the prohibition against smoking in enclosed spaces of places of employment is an infraction punishable by a specified fine. This bill would expand the prohibition on smoking in a place of employment to include an owner-operated business, as defined. This bill would also eliminate most of the specified exemptions that permit smoking in certain work environments, such as hotel lobbies, bars and taverns, banquet rooms, warehouse facilities, private residences used as family day care homes, and employee break rooms. By expanding the scope of an infraction, 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.

Existing law provides for licensing and regulation of health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care. A willful violation of provisions governing health care service plans is a crime. Existing law provides for licensing and regulation of health insurers by the Insurance Commissioner. Existing federal law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, provides for implementation of certain reforms relative to health care coverage. This bill, until January 1, 2018, would establish a transitional reinsurance program for health plans to be jointly administered by the Department of Insurance and the Department of Managed Health Care, and require participation by health care service plans and health insurers. The bill would require the Insurance Commissioner and the Director of the Department of Managed Health Care to jointly select a reinsurance entity, which would collect payments from contributing health plans and the United States Department of Health and Human Services on behalf of self-insured group plans and pay claims, as specified. The bill would authorize the commissioner and the Director of Managed Health Care to take various actions to implement the program. The bill would also authorize the Director of the Department of Managed Health Care to opt out of administration of the program and defer to the Department of Insurance. The bill would require contributing entities to make payments to the reinsurance entity no earlier than October 1, 2013, and would provide for the reinsurance entity to pay claims to a reinsurance-eligible recipient no earlier than January 1, 2014, with payments and claims to cease on December 31, 2016, except for necessary adjustments. Because a willful violation of the bill's provisions with respect to health care service plans would be 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.

This measure would designate November 2012 as California Sikh American Awareness and Appreciation Month. It would recognize and acknowledge the significant contributions made by Californians of Sikh heritage to the state and afford all Californians the opportunity to understand, recognize, and appreciate the rich history and shared principles of Sikh Americans.

This measure would declare May 2012 to be American Stroke Month in California.