BILL NUMBER: SB 1474	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Alquist

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2008

   An act to add Sections 1204.2 and 1204.25 to the Health and Safety
Code, relating to clinics.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1474, as introduced, Alquist. Chronic dialysis clinics.
   Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of health
facilities, including chronic dialysis clinics, as defined, by the
State Department of Public Health. A violation of these provisions is
a crime.
   Under existing law, all licensing fees collected from chronic
dialysis clinics are deposited into the State Department of Public
Health Licensing and Certification Program Fund, the revenue in which
may be used by the department, upon appropriation by the
Legislature, for the department's health facility and clinic
licensing and certification program.
   This bill would require the department to promulgate regulations
that would require the implementation of procedures for the
surveillance of, and reporting of, violations of patient rights and
sanitary standards at chronic dialysis clinics, as specified.
   The bill would require the department to increase licensing fees
for these clinics to cover the costs of implementing these
regulations.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 1204.2 is added to the Health and Safety Code,
to read:
   1204.2.  The department shall promulgate regulations that will
accomplish all of the following:
   (a) Require annual inspections of chronic dialysis clinics, as
defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 1204 and
provide for followup inspections for clinics found to have violations
of patient rights or sanitary standards.
   (b) Ensure that inspections of chronic dialysis clinics are
conducted irregularly so as to avoid predictability in the
anticipated timing of inspections.
   (c) Provide for increased civil penalties for violations of
patient rights or sanitary standards at chronic dialysis clinics.
   (d) Create a consumer hotline for chronic dialysis patients and
family members to make anonymous reports regarding violations of
patient rights or sanitary standards.
  SEC. 2.  Section 1204.25 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to
read:
   1204.25.  Upon implementation of the regulations required by
Section 1204.2, the department shall increase licensing fees for
chronic dialysis clinics to the extent necessary to cover the costs
of the increased inspections and surveillance required by the
department pursuant to Section 1204.2.