BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                  SB 132
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   July 15, 2009 

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                Kevin De Leon, Chair

                    SB 132 (Denham) - As Amended:  July 6, 2009   

          Policy Committee:                              Business &  
          Professions  Vote:                            10-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          No     Reimbursable:              

           SUMMARY  

          This bill requires the Medical Board of California (MBC) to  
          promulgate regulations for the registration of an individual as  
          a certified polysomnographic (CP) (sleep study) technologist,  
          technician, or trainee (CPT).  Specifically, this bill:

          1)Defines polysomnography as the treatment, management,  
            diagnostic testing, control, education, and care of patients  
            with sleep and wake disorders. 

          2)Specifies the qualifications for a CP technologist.

          3)Requires professionals certified pursuant to this bill to be  
            subject to state and federal criminal background checks. 

          4)Requires the registration fee for certifications to be up to  
            $100 every two years. 

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          One-time fee-supported, special fund costs of $193,000 to the  
          MBC to promulgate regulations. On-going fee-supported special  
          fund costs of $47,000 to continue oversight of sleep  
          specialists. 

           COMMENTS  

           1)Rationale  . This bill is sponsored by the California Sleep  
            Society to establish educational requirements, background  
            check processes, and consumer protections related to medical  
            professionals specializing in sleep disorders. Polysomnography  
            is the study of sleep that is used to diagnose or rule out  
            sleep disorders including sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome,  
            and narcolepsy. Physicians who specialize in sleep disorders  





                                                                  SB 132
                                                                  Page  2

            are board certified in a specialty recognized by the American  
            Board of Sleep Medicine and the MBC. However, other  
            professionals in this area are not currently regulated in  
            California. This bill establishes a regulatory framework for  
            these professionals. 

           2)Background  . Tens of millions of Americans have problems  
            sleeping through the night and getting adequate sleep. Up to  
            20% of adults report getting less than six hours each night. A  
            lack of adequate sleep is associated with negative health  
            effects such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. A  
            polysomnogram records various data elements, including brain  
            waves, airflow, chin movements, eye movements, heart rate and  
            rhythm, and oxygen saturation. 
           
          Analysis Prepared by  :    Mary Ader / APPR. / (916) 319-2081