BILL ANALYSIS Ó Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary Senator Kevin de León, Chair AB 1028 (Patterson) - Vocational nursing: interim permits. Amended: June 10, 2013 Policy Vote: B&P 10-0 Urgency: No Mandate: No Hearing Date: July 1, 2013 Consultant: Brendan McCarthy This bill does not meet the criteria for referral to the Suspense File. Bill Summary: AB 1028 would permit an applicant for a vocational nursing license to submit an application for an interim permit at the same time. The bill would require the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians to issue an interim permit within 60 days of receiving an application. Fiscal Impact: Potential one-time costs up to $75,000 for the amendment of existing regulations by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians Fund). Potential ongoing costs in the tens of thousands, up to about $150,000 for additional interim permit application review, offset by fee revenues (Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians Fund). Background: Under current law, vocational nurses are licensed and regulated by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians. Prospective vocational nurses must submit a license application to the Board and are required to pass an examination If an applicant for licensing submits an application within four months of competing an approved nursing program, the Board may issue an interim permit. An interim permit allows a vocational nursing applicant to work, under supervision of a licensed vocational nurse or registered nurse, while awaiting the results of the licensing examination or up to nine months. The Board charges a $40 fee to process an interim permit. Proposed Law: AB 1028 would permit an applicant for a vocational nursing license to submit an application for an interim permit AB 1028 (Patterson) Page 1 at the same time. The bill would require the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians to issue an interim permit within 60 days of receiving an application. Staff Comments: The Board indicates that it has not issued an interim permit in more than two years, in part because staff limitations lead to long processing times. The increased workload to the Board will depend on how many license applicants also apply for an interim permit. If half of the licensing applicants also apply for an interim permit, the Board estimates that it will experience costs of about $75,000 per year, offset by fee revenues.