BILL ANALYSIS Ó SB 943 Page 1 SENATE THIRD READING SB 943 (Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee) As Amended August 29, 2011 Majority vote SENATE VOTE :39-0 BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS 9-0 APPROPRIATIONS 17-0 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Ayes:|Hayashi, Bill Berryhill, |Ayes:|Fuentes, Harkey, | | |Allen, Butler, Eng, | |Blumenfield, Bradford, | | |Hagman, Hill, Ma, Smyth | |Charles Calderon, Campos, | | | | |Davis, Donnelly, Gatto, | | | | |Hall, Hill, Lara, | | | | |Mitchell, Nielsen, Norby, | | | | |Solorio, Wagner | |-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------| | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY : Makes several non-controversial, minor, nonsubstantive or technical changes to various provisions pertaining to health-related regulatory boards of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) and professions regulated primarily under the Business and Professions Code (BPC). Specifically, this bill : 1)Makes the following changes relating to the Dental Hygiene Committee (DHC): a) Extends the sunset date from January 1, 2012, to January 1, 2014, on the DHC's authority to grant licensure to dental students who work in a practice that serves patients insured by Denti-Cal, the Healthy Families Program or other government programs, or that has a sliding scale fee based on income, as specified; b) Specifies that applicants for licensure as a registered dental hygienist (RDH) in alternative practice may have a degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. Deletes a provision that institutions may be recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation; and, SB 943 Page 2 c) Simplifies the phrase "dental health diagnosis" to read "dental diagnosis," as it pertains to functions that an RDH in alternative practice may perform. 2)Makes the following changes relating to the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN): a) Limits the BRN's determination that military education and experience establish competency to practice registered nursing, to consider military education only; and, b) Amends an incorrect reference to code section regarding authorized nurse practitioners. 3)Revises the peer review information included in the Medical Board of California's annual report to the Legislature. 4)Makes clarifying changes to the grandfathering provisions for practicing polysomnographic technologists. 5)Extends the sunset date on the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act from January 1, 2012, until January 1, 2013. 6)Makes the following changes relating to the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS): a) Adds "couple and family therapy" to the list of acceptable subjects that satisfy masters or doctoral degree requirement for licensure applicants; b) Amends references to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (Bureau) to reflect the Bureau's name change; c) Clarifies how required experiential hours may be allocated between "face-to-face" counseling and "client-centered advocacy"; d) Includes "clinical counselor intern" in the list of interns or associates a marriage and family therapy (MFT) corporation or licensed professional in private practice may supervise or employ; e) Increases the number of interns an MFT corporation or SB 943 Page 3 licensed individual in private practice may employ at one time from two per licensed therapist to three per licensed therapist. Also increases the total number of interns a corporation may have at one time from 10 to 15. Changes references to a professional corporation to clarify that these provisions apply to an MFT corporation; f) Adds licensed professional clinical counselors to the list of qualified members of professional groups that shall not be prevented from doing work of a psychosocial nature; g) Includes clinical counselor intern in the list of interns or associates a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) corporation or licensed professional in private practice may supervise or employ; and, h) Increases the number of interns an LCSW corporation or licensed individual in private practice may employ at one time from two per licensed therapist to three per each employee or shareholder who has satisfied specified requirements. Also increases total number of interns a corporation may have at one time from 10 to 15. 7)Makes additional technical, clarifying changes. 8)Includes chaptering out language to resolve conflicts with SB 363 (Emmerson) and SB 946 (Health Committee), as specified. FISCAL EFFECT : According to Assembly Appropriations Committee, approximately $120,000 (special fund) annually in regulatory costs will continue to be incurred as a result of a provision extending the sunset on the Veterinary Medical Board's oversight of veterinary technicians by one year. COMMENTS : According to the author, this bill consolidates a number of non-controversial provisions related to various regulatory programs and professions governed by the Business and Professions Code. Many of the provisions of this bill are minor, technical and updating changes, while other provisions are substantive consensus changes intended to improve the ability of various licensing programs and other entities to efficiently and effectively administer their respective laws. Analysis Prepared by : Angela Mapp / B.,P. & C.P. / (916) SB 943 Page 4 319-3301 FN: 0002198