California Legislative Tracker

This page archives recently chaptered and dead legislation from the 2015 session.


Children

AB 47: Assemblymember McCarty (District 7)

State preschool program: report

Summary: This bill expresses the intent of the Legislature that no later than June 30, 2018, the State Budget shall include an appropriation for the California State Preschool Program (CSPP) sufficient that requires all children who are not enrolled in transitional kindergarden, to have access to the state preschool program the year before they enter kindergarten, if their parents wish to enroll them. This remains contingent upon the appropriation of sufficient funding in the annual Budget Act for this purpose.

Studies have shown that high-quality preschool significantly improves children’s school readiness and school performance, that quality preschool provides a return of $15,000 for every child served, and that investment in high-quality preschool will result in savings in prison expenditures. The bill further expresses the intent of the Legislature that all low-income children have access to either a state preschool program or a transitional kindergarten program and to provide funds to expand the CSPP to provide full day, full year preschool for all eligible low-income children.

Last Action: VETOED 10/9/15

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


SB 277: Senator Pan (District 6) 

Public Health: Vaccinations

Summary: This bill would eliminate the personal belief exemption from the requirement that children receive specified vaccines for certain infectious diseases (including diphtheria, hepatitis B, haemophilus influenzae type b, measles, mumps, pertussis, poliomyelitis, rubella, tetanus, and chicken pox) prior to being admitted to any public or private elementary or secondary school, child care center, day nursery, nursery schools, family day care home, or developmental centers, and would make other conforming changes. This bill would specify that this mandatory vaccination requirement (for which the bill would only leave a medical exemption) does not apply to a home-based private school or a student enrolled in an independent study program. This bill would, in certain circumstances, permit a child to be temporarily excluded from the school or institution until the local health officer is satisfied that the child is no longer at risk of developing or transmitting a communicable disease for which immunization is otherwise required by law. This bill would add to existing notifications that school districts must give to parents, the immunization rates for the school in which a pupil is enrolled for each of the immunizations required.

Last Action: 6/30/15 Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 35, Statutes of 2015.

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


Facilities/Licensing

AB 1130: Assemblymember  Gray (District 21)

Principal Co-author: Assembly member Gonzalez (District 80)

Clinics: licensing: hours of operation 

Summary: Under existing law, the State Department of Public Health (DPH) licenses clinics. Violation of any provision related to licensing and regulation is punishable by misdemeanor. Clinics that are operated by a licensed primary care community or free clinic, adhere to different premises than a  licensed clinic, or provide up to 20 hrs/week of service per week are exempt from such licensing provisions. These exempt clinics must still adhere to all other requirements of law pertaining to fire and life safety.

This bill would increase the exemption to include clinics that provide up to 3o hrs/week of service. According to the author, because most health care centers accept patients up to 7 days a week, this act helps exempt clinics keep up with the service demand by expanding their hours of service.

Last Action: 10/01/15 Chaptered by Secretary of State – Chapter 412, Statutes of 2015.

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site click here

See Bill AB 941, which discusses exemption for tribal clinics located on and off tribal lands.


 

SB 275: Senator Hernandez

Health facility data

Summary: Existing law requires certain health facilities and surgical clinics to file, with the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD), specified reports on patient and health data that includes patient’s date of birth and source of admission.

This bill would require the OSHPD to adopt a regulation that requires physicians to also collect and report patient data. Potential benefits associated with collecting data on the physician level, include benchmarking data for providers to use in quality improvement efforts and providing information to help consumers make informed decisions about where and from whom to receive care.

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, one-time costs will be around $100,000 to develop policies, adopt regulations, and make necessary changes to computer systems (California Health Data and Planning Fund).

Last Action: 07/14/2015 July 14 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


Insurance and Exchange

AB 627:  Assemblymember Gomez (District 51)

Pharmacy benefit managers: contracting pharmacies

Summary: Existing law imposes requirements on an audit of pharmacy services provided to members of a health benefit plan.

This bill would exempt various contracts governing the medicines provided to injured employees in workers’ compensation cases from these requirements.
The bill would also require a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) that reimburses a pharmacy for a drug to include in their contract initiated or renewed on or after January 1, 2016, information identifying a national drug pricing compendia or source that could determine the maximum allowable cost (MAC) for the drugs, and to provide for an appeal process for the contracting pharmacy.  The bill would also require a PBM to utilize a webpage format to make accessible the most up-to-date MAC lists used for their patients to the contracting pharmacy. Unless certain requirements are met, a drug may not be included on this MAC list, nor receive reimbursement on a MAC basis.

According to the CA Pharmacist Association, MAC-based reimbursement will allow pharmacies to receive payment for medications dispensed to patients based on proprietary price lists.

Last Action Date:  07/13/15 Chaptered by Secretary of State – Chapter 74, Statutes of 2015.

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


SB 546: Senator Leno

Health Care Coverage: Rate Review

Summary: Existing law requires a health care service plan or health insurer (collectively known as carriers)  of individual, small, or large group markets to file rate information with the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) or the Department of Insurance (CDI).

This bill requires that large group carriers file all information relating to rate increase to the respective department, at least 60 days prior to its implementation. The department then has to review the information in order to decide, within 60 days, whether the rate is reasonable. The carrier then has to file additional aggregate rate information that addresses whether the new rate is greater than avg. rate increases provided by the California Health Benefit Exchange, or by the Board of Administration of the Public Employees’ Retirement System, by October 1, 2016, and annually thereafter. This bill would also require the department to hold annual public meetings regarding the large group rate changes.

Additionally, this bill would authorize a carrier that contracts with only 1-2 medical groups, to meet this filing requirement by disclosing its trend experience for the prior year, referring to benefit categories that are the same or similar to those of other carriers.

Today premium costs are 5%-10% higher than the national average, and according to the author, this bill is important because it requires greater transparency and reporting requirements in pricing for the large group market.

This bill would result in one time costs of around $575,000, and ongoing costs of $1 million to the CDI. Annual costs of $2.9 million 2015-16, and $4.9 million every year after is expected for the DMHC.

Last Action: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 801, Statutes of 2015. 10/11/15

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


AB 1434: Assemblymember McCarty

Health Insurance: Prohibition on health insurance sales: health care  services plans

Summary: The existing Knox-Kneene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975 licenses and regulates health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC). This bill repeals the existing statute applying to Anthem Blue Cross, that requires a non profit hospital corporation operating under provisions of the 1965 Insurance Code, and adhering to the Knox-Kneene Act, should enjoy certain privileges that it would have enjoyed under the Knox-Mills Health Plan Act. The bill would further prohibit any provider licensed under Knox-Keene from marketing or selling health insurance.

Existing law requires that any provider of medical, surgical, chiropractic, physical therapy, speech pathology, audiology, professional mental health, dental, hospital, or optometric services by direct payment or reimbursement, or that enters into a contract/agreement with a provider be subject to jurisdiction by the CDI. This bill repeals the existing statute that a person or entity regulated by the Knox-Keene is not required adhere to the jurisdiction.

According to the author, this bill will help close the loophole that allows any insurer to move their products to DMHC to avoid the consumer protections and taxes of CDI. The author predicts that the added revenue will expand Medi-Cal.

Last Action: 04/27/2015 In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


Medi-Cal

 

AB 858:  Assemblymember Wood (District 2)

Improving Access to Behavioral Health Services in Primary Care (Same Day Billing & MFTs)

Summary: This bill allows federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and rural health clinics (RHCs) to provide and be reimbursed for both medical and mental health services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries on the same day, in the same location. Currently, an outdated provision of law prohibits “same day billing” for medical services and mental health services, even though it does allow for medical and dental services to be delivered and paid for on the same day.

AB 858 has been combined with AB 690, which adds marriage and family therapists (MFTs) as health care professionals whose services may be reimbursed by Medi-Cal when provided at a  FQHC or RHC.  According to 2012 OSHPD dat, 41.5 percent of community clinics and health centers provide behavioral health services in 50 of California’s 58 Counties.

One-time costs, likely in the low millions will be necessary to recalculate the prospective payment system rate for clinics that are providing marriage and family therapist services or wish to add those services (General Fund and federal funds).

Last Action: VETOED 10/10/15

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


SB 610: Senator Pan (District 6) 

Timely Reimbursement of Health Centers

Summary: This bill establishes reasonable timelines for the Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS) to finalize Medi-Cal reimbursement rates and complete the annual reconciliation process for federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). If enacted, the bill will require DHCS to finalize a health center rate within 100 days after receiving the requisite information and complete the annual reconciliation within 18 months of the last date of the fiscal year for which the department is conducting the review.

The author contends FQHCs are currently being blocked from valuable funding that could enable them to better treat patients and increase services to patients as a result of a lack of timelines from DHCS for reimbursements.

According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, this bill could be implemented by increasing staff assigned to audits and reconciliations, at a temporary cost in the range of $2.5 million per year for two years (General Fund (GF)/federal funds).

Last Action: VETOED 10/10/15

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


SB 147: Senator Hernandez (District 24) 

Payment Reform Pilot Program for Federally Qualified Health Centers

Summary: This bill requires the Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS) to authorize a voluntary three-year alternative payment methodology pilot for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) in California. Under the pilot, participating FQHCs would receive capitated monthly payments from their health plans rather than the traditional fee-for-service per-visit reimbursement s from DHCS. The capitated payment will provide the FQHC with greater flexibility to deliver health care to the patient in a manner that best meets the patient’s needs.  For example, an FQHC could use the capitation payment to provide a patient with different services on the same day (an FQHC cannot bill separately for a primary care visit and a mental health care appointment that occur on the same day under current DHCS policy), or to provide health care services through different means (such as phone consultation and email consultation) or through different providers types (such as dieticians).

Last Action: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 760, Statutes of 2015. 10/10/15

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


SB 36: Senator Hernandez (District 22), Senator de León (District 24)

AB 72: Assemblymember Bonta (District 18)

Medi-Cal: demonstration project

Summary: This bill requires the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to submit and application to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for a waiver to implement a demonstration project that furthers the delivery of high-quality and cost-efficient care for Medi-Cal beneficiaries, ensures the longterm viability of the delivery system following the expansion of Medi-Cal eligibility under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act  (ACA), and continues California’s momentum and successes in innovation achieved under the 2010 “Bridge to Reform” Waiver.

This waiver renewal is critical to the long–term fiscal sustainability of the Medi–Cal program and to California’s ability to continue to provide high quality health care to Medi-Cal beneficiaries. The goals of the Waiver are to continue to support ACA implementation, improve the health care quality and outcomes of the over 12 million individuals enrolled in Medi-Cal, and provide for the long–term fiscal stability of the Medi-Cal program through delivery system transformation. Specific strategies anticipated to be included in the waiver renewal include a federal-state shared savings initiative; housing and supportive services for vulnerable populations; various health plans and provider delivery system transformation and alignment incentive programs, including a new Delivery System Reform Incentive Program (DSRIP) at designated public hospitals and non–designated public hospitals; workforce development strategies to expand provider access and capacity; and safety net payment and delivery system transformation.

Last Action: SB 36 Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 759, Statutes of 2015. 10/10/15

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site for SB 36 or  AB 72.


AB 1162: Assemblymember Holden (District 41)

Coverage for tobacco cessation visits

Summary: This bill would require Medi-Cal to cover tobacco cessation services as a benefit. Patients can receive the benefit after unlimited quit attempts with no required break attempts. The bill requires the benefit to include  The bill would require tobacco cessation services to also include at least 4 quit attempts per year, and 4 counseling sessions per quit attempt, as well as a 90-day treatment regimen of any medication approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for tobacco.

Costs should be around $650,000 (General Fund federal funds) to Medi-Cal annually, based on an approximate 10% increase in utilization of tobacco cessation services. Similar price increases could result form increased drug costs. Short term cost reductions could result as patients successfully quit. Long term cost savings may also result form reduced cardiovascular hospital admissions.

Last Action: VETOED 10/10/15

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


AB 1231: Assemblymember Wood (District 2)

Non Medical Transportation

Summary: Under existing law medical transportation services, subject to utilization controls and federally permissible time and distance standards, are counted as a benefit under the Medi-Cal Program. This bill would add non medical transportation (NMT) to the schedule of benefits. According to the author, NMT is defined as transportation of members to medical services by passenger car, taxicabs, or other forms of public or private conveyances provided by persons not registered as Medi-Cal providers.

The NMT  benefit applies if the patient has to travel over 60 minutes or 30 miles to receive covered specialty care Medi-Cal services.  The State Department of Health Care Services is required to adopt this regulation by July 1, 2016. Six months after approval, the department is required to begin submitting a status report to the Legislature until regulations are adopted.

Fiscal effect could be around $1 million in Medi-Cal managed care, and within the low hundreds of thousands in direct costs in fee-for-service (FFS) Medi-Cal annually. However, these costs would be offset by savings from better access to management of chronic conditions, fewer complications, and reduced emergency room use.

Last Action: VETOED 10/10/15

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


AB 1261: Assemblymember Burke (District 62)

Community-based adult services: adult day health care centers 

Summary: In 2011, the state eliminated adult day health care (ADHC) as an optional Medi-Cal benefit. This bill would establish the Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) as a Medi-Cal benefit in counties where CBAS existed on April 1, 2012, and as a Medi-Cal managed care benefit in areas in which CBAS was on available as of April 1, 2012.

CBAS providers must be licensed as ADHC centers and certified by the California Department of Aging as CBAS providers. The bill would require CBAS providers to meet specified licensing requirements and adhere to regulations regarding care. These provisions surrounding licensing and care would be implemented only if federal financial support is available.

Ongoing fiscals costs are estimated at around $330 million per year to continue providing the service. The program is optional for states to implement. Potential cost savings will result from the reduced state spending on institutional care.

Last Action: VETOED 10/10/15

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


AB 1337: Assemblymember Linder (District 2)

Availability of Electronic Medical Records

Summary: Existing law requires medical providers and employers to maintain the accessibility of patient records for the purpose of inspection and copying by an attorney or his/her representative. This bill would require a medical provider or attorney to produce and maintain an electronic copy of the patient’s medical record for purposes of sharing. This bill would also require a medical provider to accept a prescribed authorization form completed and signed by the patient if the provider determines that the form is valid.

All costs incurred by making the medical record available to attorneys will be charged against the attorney.

Last Action: Chaptered by Secretary of State – Chapter 528, Statutes of 2015. 10/6/15

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


AB 644: Assemblymember Dodd (District 4)

Medi-Cal: universal assessment tool report

Summary: This bill extends the operation of a stakeholder workgroup that focuses on developing a new universal assessment process and tool for home- and community-based services. This workgroup is made up of DHCS, the State Department of Social Services (DSS), and the California Department of Aging (CDA).  Assessment tools are necessary to determine the amount of type of services a client will need in terms of medical, routine daily functions, and consumer needs.

This bill would extend the operation of these provisions until December 31, 2017. The bill would also require, on or before January 1, 2017, that the DHCS, the DSS, and the CDA, in consultation with the stakeholder workgroup, evaluate and report to the Legislature about the universal assessment tool. The report must include findings from consumers assessed by the tool and findings from consumers choosing to be assessed with previous tools.

Last Action: 09/30/15 Chaptered by Secretary of State – Chapter 367, Statutes of 2015.

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


 

SB 299: Senator Monning (District 17)

Provider Enrollment

Summary:   While the existing law requires Medi-Cal users to submit an application package and fee to enroll or notify the department of a location change, this bill would exempt applicants enrolling electronically from having to complete the current notarization requirements. The bill would also clarify that the department must collect an application fee for continued enrollment.

In order to prevent fraud or abuse, existing law permits the department to issue a 180-day moratorium on the enrollment of provider types submitting an application, as specified. The Department of State Health Care Services (DHCS) screens and designates providers as either a “low”, “medium”, or “high” categorical risk. Existing law authorizes the department to designate a provider as “high risk” if the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services lifted a temporary moratorium within the past 6 months. This bill would authorize the DHCS to declare a provider as “high risk” based on whether the state department itself lifted a moratorium within the past 6 months on a provider type. Therefore the state has the right to categorize its users without respect to the actions of the federal Centers on Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The bill would take effect immediately as an urgency statute. Due to DHCS’s scheduled rollout of an online application system for September of 2015, it is necessary to complete beforehand in order to avoid duplicative identify verification.

Last Action: 09/04/15 Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 271, Statutes of 2015.

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site click here


AB 1155: Assemblymember Ridley-Thomas (District )

Medi-Cal

Summary: Existing law provides that it is the intent of the Legislature is to provide, to the extent practicable, for health care for those aged and other persons who lack sufficient annual income to meet the costs of health care, and whose other assets are so limited that their application toward the costs of care would jeopardize the person’s or family’s future minimum self-maintenance and security.

This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to this statement of legislative intent.

Last Action: 02/01/16 Died at Desk.

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


AB 1392: Assemblymember Thurmond (District )

Medi-Cal

Summary: 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.

This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to those provisions.

Last Action: 02/01/16 Died at Desk.

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


AB 1394: Assemblymember Thurmond (District 15)

Prescription Drugs

Summary: Existing law establishes the California Discount Prescription Drug Program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, under which qualified individuals are provided with prescription drugs at reduced prices that result from rebate agreements between the department and drug manufacturers. Existing law requires all moneys received by the department pursuant to the administration of the program to be deposited into the California Discount Prescription Drug Program Fund, a continuously appropriated fund, for the purpose of providing payment to participating pharmacies and for defraying its costs in administering the program, and prohibits moneys in the fund from being available for any other purpose. Existing law implements the program only to the extent that moneys are appropriated to the department to implement the program. Existing law makes the program inoperative on February 1, 2015, and thereafter repealed on January 1, 2016, if no moneys are appropriated to the department to implement the program.

This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to a provision related to the program.

Last Action: 02/01/16 Died at Desk.

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


 

 

Mental Health

AB 250:  Assemblymember (District 33)

Telehealth: marriage and family therapist interns and trainees

Summary: “Telehealth” describes the technological mode of communication that health care providers use to deliver health care services and public health to a patient. Telehealth  communication  facilitates the diagnosis, consultation, treatment, education, care management, and self-management of a patient’s health care when the provider and patient communicate from afar. A “health care provider” is defined as person licensed under specified provisions of law relating to healing arts.

Under the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act, marriage and family therapist (MFT) interns who apply for a MFT license must have completed a certain number of hours providing counseling services, with only a certain number allowed to be recorded for using telehealth. All MFT trainees and registrants had to have been supervised to ensure that the quality of their counseling is consistent with their training.

This bill would expand the definition of “health care provider” to include a marriage and family therapist intern or trainee. The bill would also authorize a MFT intern and trainee to provide services via telehealth if they are supervised and acting within the scope authorized by the act.

The bill also allows MFT’s to put more of their hours spent using telehealth to deliver services towards their hours required for licensure when they are applying. Today MFT’s must record 3,000 supervised hours of experience within a two year period in order to receive licensure.

There is no fiscal effect.

Last Action Date: 07/06/15 Approved in Senate and chaptered by Secretary of State – Chapter 50, Statutes of 2015.

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


AB 745:  Assemblymember Chau (District 49)

Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission

Summary: Under Existing law, the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC) oversees the implementation of the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). MHSA, enacted during the 2004 statewide general election as Proposition 63, funds services for mentally ill children, adults, and seniors by requiring a 1% personal tax income for $1 million and above income earners. The act requires MHSOAC to comprise 16 voting members, two of which have a severe mental illness and one of which is a mental health professional. The act may be amended by the Legislature with a 2/3 vote of both houses, so long as the amendment aligns with the intent of the act.

The bill requires the Governor to appoint an additional member to MHSOAC, who has experience providing supportive housing to persons with a severe mental illness. The bill would state the findings and declarations of the Legislature that this change is consistent with and furthers the intent of the act.
According to the author, supportive housing is an effective strategy for reducing homelessness among those with mental illnesses. Adding a member to MHSOAC with supportive housing experience will help the Commission reduce homelessness.

Last Action: VETOED 10/15/15

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here

See AB 253


AB 1424:  Assemblymember Achadijan (District 35)

Community mental health board

Summary: Existing law requires community mental health (MH) service boards to include 10 to 15 county appointed members, each with experience in the MH system. Half of the board members are required to be the recipient, or the parents, spouses, siblings, or children of a recipient, or “consumer” of MH services. All board members along with their spouses are prohibited from being an employee of a county mental health service, the State Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), or the governing body of a mental health contract agency.

This bill would adjust the board membership requirements by allowing a “consumer” of MH services who is a full or part time employee of DHCS or MH contract agency to be appointed to the MH Board, as long as the position exerts no influence or authority over financial or contractual matters concerning the employer. Similarly, the MH board member would be prohibited from voting on any matter in which they might have a financial or contractual interest or issue concerning his or her employer.
This bill will allow for greater participation of recipients to serve on local mental health service boards. According to the author, employment is an important part of the recovery process and lived experience among board members is important.

Last Action Date: 07/16/2015 Chaptered by Secretary of State – Chapter 127, Statutes of 2015.

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


Miscellaneous

AB 30: Assemblymember Alejo (District 30)

School or athletic names: California Racial Mascots Act

Summary: It is currently the policy of this state to afford all persons in public schools equal rights and opportunities in the educational institutions. This bill established the Racial Mascots Act, which would prohibit public schools from using the term Redskins as a school or athletic team name, mascot, or nickname beginning January 1, 2017. Such a prohibition would not be waived by the State Board of Education.

One of the origins of the term “Redskins” dates back to the 1700’s when early settlers offered rewards for the killing of Native Indians. At the time, “Redskin” described the bloody scalp of an Indian that was used as proof of a killing. Cheers such as “Kill the Redskins!” or “Scalp the Indians” are commonly heard at sporting events that involve teams with Native American names and mascots. Such cheers and mascot images can negatively affect Native American youth. Additionally, Native Americans view the term “Redskin” as a racial slur, akin to the “N” word. Due to the growing support and awareness of this issue, it is imperative that schools prohibit the use of this term.

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.

Last Action: SIGNED 10/11/15

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


 

AB 163

Teaching Credential: American Indian language-culture credential

Summary: Existing law authorizes the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to issue credentials for teaching specialities including bilingual education, early childhood education, and special education, as well as establish professional assessments for entry and advancement in the education profession. The CTC is authorized to issue an American Indian languages credential to a candidate who has demonstrated fluency in a tribal language, and who has been recommended by a federally recognized Indian tribe in California.

This bill would instead require the CTC to change the name of the American Indian languages credential to the American Indian language-culture credential with an American Indian language authorization. The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of the tribe’s culture through an assessment process, complete a criminal background, and submit an application, fee and recommendation.  The holder of this credential would teach the American Indian language-culture education in California public preschools, kindergarten, grades 1 to 12, inclusive, and in adult education courses. If the holder does not maintain a valid teaching credential issued by the State of California, they are prohibited from teaching in any public or charter school. The credential lasts up to 5 years for the professional educator.

According to the author’s office, the Native American Languages Act of 1990 was intended to improve and strengthen the preservation of Native American languages. Under the provisions of this bill, the 109 federally recognized tribes in California would have the authority to create their own assessment system for culture education. This process is important for preserving each tribe’s differing cultural characteristics.

Last Action: 07/13/15 Chaptered by Secretary of State – Chapter 64, Statutes of 2015.

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


SB 291:  Senator Lara

Vulnerable Communities

Summary: The Office of Health Equity (OHE) operates within the Statewide Office of Planning and Development, and works to implement programs that accomplish health goals, and perform duties specifically relating to vulnerable communities. OHE is required to establish a comprehensive plan to eliminate health and mental health disparities and to seek public input to guide the process.

This bill would include individuals who have suffered trauma related to genocide in the definition of “vulnerable communities.” OHE’s strategic plan would be required to take into account their input.
Existing law requires the Dept. of Health Care Services (DHCS) to provide technical assistance to county mental health programs or local mental health agencies in the areas of program operations, research, evaluation, demonstration, or quality assurance projects.
This bill would require DHCS to include stakeholders from vulnerable communities in the process of providing assistance in the aforementioned areas. Vulnerable communities must include individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, as well as those who identify as LGBTQQ, genocide victims, women’s health or mental health advocates and providers, community-based organizations and advocates, academic institutions, local public health departments, local government entities, and low-income and vulnerable consumers.

One-time costs of approximately $600,000 – $700,000 will be necessary to develop workforce training and meet the mental health needs of vulnerable communities.

Last Action Date: VETOED 10/7/15

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


AB 1149: Assemblymember Wood (District 2)

Public health emergencies: funding

Summary: Existing law establishes procedures that govern the allocation to, and expenditure by, local health jurisdictions, hospitals, long-term health care facilities, clinics, emergency medical systems, and poison control centers of federal funding on public health emergencies. The allocation and spending procedures apply only to the entities mentioned above, that are required by a federal or state agency to manage funds for public health emergency preparation and response.

This bill adds trade associations to the list of entities that are eligible to receive  federal funding for public health preparedness and response. The author claims that historically, trade associations have played a key role in the Hospital Preparedness Programs (HPP). Their contributions to HPP, and highly developed education outreach and communication channels warrant their inclusion in the list of federally funded entities mentioned above.
This bill also contains an urgency clause that will make it effective upon enactment.

Last Action: 07/14/15 Chaptered by Secretary of State – Chapter 93, Statutes of 2015.

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


SB 4: Senator Lara

Health care coverage: immigration status

Summary: Existing law extends eligibility for full-scope Medi-Cal benefits to individuals under 19 years of age who do not have satisfactory immigration status. Existing law requires these individuals to enroll in a Medi-Cal managed care health plan in counties whereMedi-Cal managed care health plan is available.

This bill would require individuals under 19 years of age enrolled in restricted-scope Medi-Cal at the time the director makes the above-described determination, to be enrolled in the full-scope of Medi-Cal benefits. All eligible individuals must also enroll in the managed care health plan.  

The author claims that access to affordable care is important because without it, immigrants are forced to rely upon emergency care, which delays their treatment until they are sicker and treatment is more expensive. Senate Appropriations Committee assumes that at least 50% of eligible undocumented immigrants under age 19 would enroll in Medi-Cal under this bill – which is roughly the number of undocumented immigrants under age 19, on average, who access emergency- or pregnancy-related Medi-Cal services each year.

Last Action: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 709, Statutes of 2015. 10/9/15

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


SB 128: Senators Wolk and Monning

End of Life

Summary: This bill would enact the End of Life Option Act, which authorizes an adult who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer but maintains the the capacity to make decisions, to request a drug for the purpose of ending his or her life. The bill would establish the request process for life ending prescriptions and mandate that medical records be included in documentation.

The bill prohibits that any contract, will, issuance of life, health, or annuity policy, health care service plan, contract, or health benefit plans, be affected by or upon the request. The bill would prohibit an insurance carrier from revealing any communications with the patient regarding the availability of an aid-in-dying drug.
This bill would provide immunity from civil, criminal, administrative, employment, or contractual liability or professional disciplinary action for patients and providers participating in the act. The bill would authorize a health care provider to prohibit its employees, independent contractors, or other persons from participating in activities under the act. This bill would also make it a felony to alter or forge a request for, or coerce or influence to request a life ending drug. Ending a patient’s life would be prohibited from taking the form of lethal injection, mercy killing, or active euthanasia.
This bill would require the State Public Health Officer to comprise a statistical report that reveals the use of, and compliance with the act. One time and ongoing annual costs in the hundreds of thousands are approximated to fall on the Department of Public Health’s General Fund. Additionally, one time costs of $600,000 spread over two years are expected for the Department of Managed Health Care to adopt regulations.
The authors states that by giving these patients the legal right to request an aid-in-dying prescription from his/her physician, this bill would provide one more option to the number of options one has when faced with end of life for those individuals that feel it is right for them.

Last Action: 07/07/15 July 7 set for second hearing canceled at the request of author.

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


SB 151: Assemblymember Hernandez (District 48)

Tobacco products: minimum legal age
Summary: The Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement (STAKE) Act, establishes requirements for distributors of tobacco products to minors. Accordingly, the furnishing of tobacco products to and purchases by, a person under 18 years of age is prohibited. When promoting or advertising smokeless tobacco products, the person must ensure that the product is not available to persons under 18 years of age. Existing law also requires the State Department of Public Health to conduct random, onsite inspections of tobacco product retailers with the assistance of persons under 18 years of age.
This bill would extend the applicability of those provisions to persons under 21 years of age. The bill would also authorize the State Department of Public Health to conduct such inspections with the assistance of persons under 21 years of age. This bill would provide that no state reimbursement for local agencies and school districts is required by this act.
According to the author, an estimated 90% of tobacco users start prior to age 21, and 80% of lifetime users start before the age of 18. By increasing the minimum legal age to 21, this bill intends to prevent or severely restrict youth access to these highly addictive and deadly products.
Last Action: 07/08/2015 July 8 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.
For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here

SB 282: Senator Hernandez
Health care coverage: prescription drugs
Summary: Existing law requires a provider to submit a uniform Prior Authorization (PA) request form to their carrier in order to prescribe a drug. PA’s help curb the abuse of and price of prescribed substances by requiring providers to obtain permission from the carrier for prescriptions. If the carrier fails to respond to the request within two days, the request is deemed granted.

This bill would authorize a prescribing provider to use an electronic process to transmit PA requests for prescription drugs, and would modify timeframes by which carriers must respond to such PA requests. Specifically, a PA would have to be granted if the carrier failed to respond to the provider’s non-urgent request within 72 hours, and within 24 hours for urgent requests. The department would develop a uniform PA form or electronic process for use by carriers no later than January 1, 2017, or 6 months after the form is developed, for the electronic transmission purposes.

Provisions of this bill relating to PA requests do not apply if a contracted network physician group (CNPG) must bear the financial risk of the drug for the carrier, if the CNPG refers to its own internal prior PA process rather than the carrier’s, or if a CNPG is in charge of the utilization management function of the drug for the carrier, regardless of financial risk.

According to the author, advances in health information technology have increased health care efficiency and lowered costs. This bill increases efficiency by removing roadblocks to electronic PA’s. This bill would provide that no reimbursement for local agencies and school districts is required by this act for a specified reason. According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, this bill would result in one-time costs of $134,000 in 2015-16 and $169,000 in 2016-17 to revise existing regulations by CDI, and One-time costs of about $90,000 to amend regulations by DMHC.

Last Action: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 654, Statutes of 2015. 10/8/15
For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here

 Tribes

AB 941: Assemblymember Wood (District 2)

Clinics: licensure and regulation: exemption.

Summary: Exempts clinics operated by a tribe or tribal organization, regardless of location, from obtaining a license from the Department of Public Health, and requires, to qualify for the exemption, the clinic operate under a contract with the United States pursuant to the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act.

According to the author, the majority of California tribal health clinics are located in rural areas of the state and oftentimes, it is challenging to meet unmet needs when providing healthcare services over large geographic areas. Tribal clinics cannot always establish new clinics on Indian land, as oftentimes, the Indian land in question is not available in an area where many tribal clinic patients may reside. This results in opening new tribal clinics on non-Indian land in order to provide adequate access of care to patients. The author notes, tribal clinics may only place new sites within the federal statutorily defined service areas based on the population of the tribal communities they serve. The federal, tribal, and state standards requirements have to be met in order to create a new tribal clinic; and these standards are comprehensive and coherent. When abiding by the federal, tribal, and state standards, the administrative process becomes very duplicative when applying for a license to operate a tribal clinic on non-Indian land. The author concludes, this bill will streamline the state clinic licensing exemptions and exempt tribal clinics on non-Indian land from DPH’s state facility license.

Last Action: Chaptered by Secretary of State – Chapter 502, Statutes of 2015. 10/5/15

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here or read CRIHB’s press release here.


Women and Girls

AB 50: Assemblymember Mullin (District 22) 

Nurse Family Partnership 

Summary: Requires the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to develop and implement a feasibility plan that describes the costs, benefits, and any potential barriers related to offering evidence-based home visiting programs to Medi-Cal eligible pregnant and parenting women. The bill would also require the department to consider establishing Medi-Cal coverage for evidence-based home visiting program services.

According to the author, this bill is necessary to increase accessibility for nurse led home visiting and help improve efficiency on this piece of our system of care. This bill helps to address the rising costs of Medi-Cal and potential burdens of rising Medi-Cal enrollment. With increased Medi-Cal enrollments come the societal savings, care coordination, case management, and healthcare outcomes that NFP and other evidence-based nurse home visiting programs, provide for the consistent solutions resonating among stakeholders. These measures will help improve HEDIS measures, access to services, and reduce costs while further increasing savings. It is the responsibility of the Legislature and in the best interest of all California citizens to prioritize efficiency and effectiveness in the consideration of fiscal expenditures.

Last Action: VETOED 10/15/15

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


AB 775: Assemblymember Chui (District 17) 

Reproductive FACT Act

Summary: This bill requires licensed clinics that provide family planning or pregnancy-related services to provide a specific notice to consumers regarding public programs whereby patients can access reproductive health services, but exempts federal government clinics and clinics participating in Medi-Cal and the Family Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment Program (FPACT) from notice requirements. Also requires unlicensed facilities that provide pregnancy-related services to disseminate and post a notice informing consumers that they are not a licensed medical facility. Specifies penalties of $500 for the first instance of noncompliance, and $1,000 for subsequent noncompliance, and authorizes the Attorney General, city attorney, or county counsel to bring an action to impose penalties.

The purpose of this bill is to provide consumer protection and disclosure for women seeking pregnancy or family planning-related services. The author contends there are nearly 200 licensed and unlicensed clinics known as crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) in California whose goal is to interfere with women’s ability to be fully informed and exercise their reproductive rights, and that CPCs pose as full-service women’s health clinics, but aim to discourage and prevent women from seeking abortions. The author concludes that these intentionally deceptive advertising and counseling practices often confuse, misinform, and even intimidate women from making fully-informed, time-sensitive decisions about critical health care.

Last Action: Chaptered by Secretary of State – Chapter 700, Statutes of 2015. 10/9/15

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


AB 418: Assemblymember Chiu (District 17)

Tenacity: Termination: Victims of Violent Crime

Summary: Existing law, until January 1, 2016, authorizes a tenant to notify the landlord in writing that he, she or a household member, suffered domestic violence or sexual assault and intends to terminate the tenancy. The tenant must attach a copy of a temporary restraining or protective order, or a statement filed by a peace officer to the notice to terminate a tenancy. The tenant’s security deposit can then compensate the landlord for following rent payment defaults. Existing law governing security deposits applies to these terminations.

This bill expands the ability of a tenant to use documentation from a qualified third party, such as a health professional, domestic violence counselor, a sexual assault counselor, or a human trafficking caseworker to support a notice to terminate a tenancy. This bill also reduces the obligation of a tenant to pay rent after providing the landlord with a notice of intent to terminate a tenancy, from 30 days to 14 days. Thereafter, the tenant shall be free of any rent payment obligation, without penalty.

According to the author, victims who rent their homes and/or maintain a long-term lease, face additional challenges when attempting to escape a dangerous environment, and this bill aims to reduce those barriers.

Last Action: 07/13/2015 Chaptered by Secretary of State – Chapter 70, Statutes of 2015.

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


Workforce

AB 706: Assemblymember Bonilla (District 14)

California Volunteers

Summary: Under existing law, by executive order, CaliforniaVolunteers operates in the office of the Governor and oversees programs and initiatives for service and volunteerism. This bill would authorize CaliforniaVolunteers to form a tax-exempt public benefit nonprofit corporation or tax-exempt entity to raise revenues and receive grants and financial support from private or public sources. This additional revenue would permit the undertaking or funding of activities authorized  by CaliforniaVolunteers.

This bill tasks CaliforniaVolunteers with administering the California AmeriCorps – STEM program, and ensuring that it operates according to existing federal AmeriCorps program guidelines. Eligible college students or graduates could apply to  volunteer for the California AmeriCorps – STEM program. This bill would allow a nonprofit corporation or public entity to apply, individually or in partnership centered around the promotion of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, to California Volunteers, through a competitive process, to host one or more California AmeriCorps – STEM members. The purpose of California AmeriCorps – STEM would be to increase STEM education and engagement and prepare the next generation for jobs in the STEM fields. According to the author, California students were recently found to be below the national and international average on science and math scores, with only 67% of 8th grade students achieving science standards. STEM hopes to improve this statistic with its expansive after school programming.
This bill would authorize CaliforniaVolunteers to solicit and accept private funding to help supplement the costs of California AmeriCorps – STEM.

Last Action: VETOED 10/15/15

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here


 AB 1270: California Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

Assemblymember Garcia (District 56) and Hernández

Summary: The federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 outlines workforce investment strategies for states, basing its provisions off of the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998.  This bill would update the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to instead refer to the WIOA.

The California Workforce Investment Act establishes programs for job training and employment investment at the state level. This bill would revise legislative findings and term definitions within the act, and rename the California Workforce Investment Board the California Workforce Development Board. The bill would require the Board to assist the Governor in developing a a State Plan for devising investments amongst federal and state workforce training and employment service programs. The bill works to revise the membership of the state board and improve its investment system.
The federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 requires that locally elected officials form a local workforce investment board that adheres to specific guidelines. This bill would rename the local boards as local workforce development boards, and would revise the timeline for certifications of high-performance local workforce development boards, the appointment guidelines, and the board duties. The bill would authorize a local board to establish a standing committee on the provision of youth services based off a 4-year local plan.

The California Workforce Investment Board promotes unity, strategic planning for education, training, and employment program opportunities within workforce development systems. The bill encourages accountability and transparency by insuring that investments are evidence based, and improves the quality and accessibility of services provided to people seeking employment.

Last Action: 07/14/2015 Chaptered by Secretary of State – Chapter 94, Statutes of 2015.
For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site here

AB 1170: Worker’s Compensation

Worker’s Compensation

Summary: Existing law requires every employer, except the state, to secure the payment of workers’ compensation as provided by law. This bill would exempt agricultural employers from the secure payment of workers’ compensation and would create the Care of Agricultural Workers pilot program and fund. The Administrative Director of the Department of Industrial Relations would utilize the moneys that would have been spent on agricultural workers’ compensation medical coverage for the Care of Agricultural Workers Fund, which supports essential health benefits for agricultural workers. Agricultural employers would deposit moneys into the Care of Agricultural Workers Fund to support the services. The administrative director would submit a report to the Legislature after the 2nd year of the pilot program.

Last Action: 04/22/2015 In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

For more information on this bill please check the Official California Legislative Information site click here