BILL ANALYSIS Ó Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair SB 1238 (Price) - Professions: Board of Psychology: Board of Behavioral Sciences. Amended: As Introduced Policy Vote: BP&ED 7-0 Urgency: No Mandate: No Hearing Date: May 7, 2012 Consultant: Jennifer Douglas This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense File. Bill Summary: SB 1238 would extend the sunset of the Board of Psychology and the Board of Behavioral Sciences until January 1, 2017 and specify that the boards are subject to review by the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature. Fiscal Impact: Estimated annual cost of $2.82 million from the Psychology Fund (1110-0310) based on the 2010-11 Budget Act, all costs offset by existing fees. Estimated annual cost of $6.99 million from the Behavioral Science Examiners Fund (1110-0773) based on the 2010-11 Budget Act, all costs offset by existing fees. Background: Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of psychologists by the Board of Psychology. Existing law also provides for the licensure and regulation of education psychologists, social workers, and marriage and family therapists by the Board of Behavioral Sciences within the Department of Consumer Affairs. Existing law specifies the composition of each board and authorizes each to employ an executive officer. Under existing law the boards will be repealed on January 1, 2013 and are required to be reviewed by the Joint Sunset Review Committee. Related Legislation: Other sunset review bills include: SB 1236 (Price) relating to the Board of Podiatric Medicine and the Board of Physician Assistants. SB 1237 (Price) relating to the Board of Pharmacy and the Court Reporters Board. SB 1239 (Price) relating to with the Board of Acupuncture. Staff Comments: This bill is one of four sunset bills authored SB 1238 (Price) Page 1 by Senator Price, the Chair of the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee. In March 2012 the Committee conducted oversight hearings to review seven regulatory boards within the Department of Consumer Affairs, including the Board of Psychology and the Board of Behavioral Sciences. This bill, and the accompanying sunset bills, is intended to implement legislative changes as recommended in the Committee's Background/Issue Papers for all of the agencies reviewed by the Committee. This bill is necessary to extend the sunset date of the Board of Psychology and the Board of Behavioral Sciences in order to continue the regulation of psychologists, educational psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists and licensed professional clinical counselors in California.