BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 178
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Date of Hearing: May 20, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
178 (Bonilla) - As Amended May 4, 2015
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Urgency: Yes State Mandated Local Program: YesReimbursable:
No
SUMMARY:
This urgency bill contains provisions related to the Dental
Board of California (DBC) and the Board of Vocational Nursing
and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT).
AB 178
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DBC Provisions:
1)Eliminates the practical examination for licensure as a
registered dental assistant.
2)Requires the DBC to review the necessity of a practical
examination.
3)Authorizes the board to administer and require a practical
examination for licensure as a registered dental assistant
upon making specified findings.
4)Modifies eligibility for registered dental assistant
licensure.
BVNPT Provisions:
1)Removes the requirement that the executive officer of the
BVNPT be a licensed vocational nurse, registered nurse, or
psychiatric technician.
2)Requires the director of the Department of Consumer Affairs
(DCA) to appoint an enforcement program monitor no later than
October 1, 2015, and specifies related reporting requirements.
3)Requires the DCA's internal audit unit to review the BVNPT's
staffing resources needs and requirements.
FISCAL EFFECT:
AB 178
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Costs of $350,000 (Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric
Technicians Fund) over two years for an enforcement program
monitor.
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. This bill addresses urgent issues that emerged from
the Business and Professions Committee's sunset review process
of the affected boards.
2)Dental Provisions. After the DBC recalibrated the practical
examination for registered dental assistants last August,
there was an alarming decline in passage rates. In addition
to the human costs of placing undue hardship on examinees who
are now unable to find work, or have lost work due to failing
the exam, and the impact on our healthcare workforce, the
steep decline questions the validity of the examination and
its ability to accurately measure a licensee's competency.
This bill establishes a moratorium on the practical exam until
it is evaluated, allowing licensure of professionals who meet
all other requirements.
3)BVNPT Provisions. According to the Assembly Business and
Professions Committee Sunset Review Report, the BVNPT has
shown deficiencies and discrepancies in the areas of
enforcement and management of funds. Due to these continuing
problems, as well as potential issues concerning the
management and operations of the Board, the report concludes,
it appears that this Board requires additional oversight and
direction. This bill requires the appointment of an
enforcement monitor and closer oversight by DCA.
AB 178
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4)Related Legislation. AB 177, AB 178, AB 180, and AB 181, all
authored by the Committee on Business and Professions, contain
sunset review provisions for other boards and bureaus.
AB 179 and this bill are related; AB 179 also contains
provisions related to DBC and BVNPT, including sunset
extensions for both boards. Certain provisions from AB 179
were amended in to this bill to take effect immediately.
Analysis Prepared by:Lisa Murawski / APPR. / (916)
319-2081