BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                  AB 456
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   May 13, 2009 

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                Kevin De Leon, Chair

                  AB 456 (Emmerson) - As Amended:  April 14, 2009  

          Policy Committee:                              Business &  
          Professions  Vote:                            10-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          No     Reimbursable:              

           SUMMARY  

          This bill clarifies and modifies the diversion program  
          administered by the Dental Board of California (DBC), which  
          serves providers with substance abuse issues. This bill provides  
          DBC with greater flexibility regarding case closure, case  
          reopening, fee waivers, infraction reporting, and record  
          retention. 
           
          FISCAL EFFECT  

          Absorbable workload to DBC to continue oversight of the  
          diversion program for dental professionals. 

           COMMENTS  

           Rationale  . This bill is sponsored by DBC to improve oversight of  
          the confidential diversion program and increase flexibility in  
          the administration of the program. The California Department of  
          Consumer Affairs, with jurisdiction over all the healing arts  
          professional boards, manages a master contract with a private  
          company for six boards and one committee for diversion programs.  
          These include the DBC, the Board of Registered Nursing, the  
          Board of Pharmacy, the Physical Therapy Board of California, the  
          Veterinary Medical Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical  
          Board of California, and the Physician Assistant Committee.  

          The respective diversion programs serve health professionals  
          with mental illnesses or substance abuse issues. Professionals  
          may be referred to recovery and treatment programs rather than  
          to disciplinary action.  Following initial evaluation, diversion  
          participants are monitored to ensure compliance.  The private  








                                                                  AB 456
                                                                  Page  2

          contractor administering programs provides medical advisors,  
          compliance monitors, case managers, a urine testing system,  
          reporting, and record maintenance. 

           
           
           Analysis Prepared by  :    Mary Ader / APPR. / (916) 319-2081