BILL ANALYSIS Ó Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair SB 540 (Price) Hearing Date: 5/23/2011 Amended: 5/12/2011 Consultant: Bob Franzoia Policy Vote: B,P&ED 9-0 _________________________________________________________________ ____ BILL SUMMARY: SB 540 would do the following: - Extend, from January 1, 2012 to January 1, 2016 the operation of the Dental Board of California and specify the board is subject to review by committees of the Legislature. - Change the board membership to delete the dental hygienist and the dental assistant members and add three additional public members appointed by the Governor. - Create the Dental Assisting Council (council) of the board to consider matters relating to dental assistants and make recommendations to the board. - Require the board to adopt written guidelines on how to make probation assignments and to ensure that probationary and evaluation reports are conducted appropriately. - Provide that all diversion records for a licensee shall be provided to the board's enforcement program and may be used in any disciplinary proceeding, including if the licensee tests positive for banned substances. - Require fees relating to the licensing and permitting of dental assistants be established by regulation and not by resolution. - Require monies remaining in the California Dental Corps Load Repayment Program of 2002 to be distributed until all of the moneys are expended. - Make other technical and policy changes. _________________________________________________________________ ____ Fiscal Impact (in thousands) Major Provisions 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 Fund Committee Up to $60 Up to $120 Up to $120Special* * State Dentistry Fund _________________________________________________________________ ____ STAFF COMMENTS: The council shall consider matters relating to dental assistants and make appropriate recommendations to the board, including: > (>) Page 1 - Requirements for dental assistant examination, licensure, and renewal. - Standards for approval of dental assisting educational programs and courses. - Allowable dental assistant duties, settings, and supervision levels. - Appropriate standards of conduct and enforcement for dental assistants. It is estimated that up to one personnel year annually will be required to assist the council with its workload. The Dental Corps Loan Repayment Program was established by Chapter 1131/2002 to increase the number of primary care physicians and dentists who practice in historically underserved areas by providing grants to help pay for the high cost of attending medical or dental school. The chapter created the Dentally Underserved Account to be funded by a $3,000,000 transfer from the State Dentistry Fund which, beginning July 1, 2003, would be appropriated over three years in $1,000,000 increments. Due to limited participation, $1,756,000 remains in the account balance.