BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 599 Page 1 Date of Hearing: April 22, 2015 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Jimmy Gomez, Chair AB 599 (Bonilla) - As Amended April 6, 2015 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Policy |Business and Professions |Vote:|14 - 0 | |Committee: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No SUMMARY: This bill authorizes a licensed cytotechnologist to perform all tests and procedures pertaining to cytology. AB 599 Page 2 FISCAL EFFECT: Costs to promulgate regulations to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) of $115,000 per year for two years (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Fund, which is supported by license fees). Ongoing costs are projected to be minor and absorbable. COMMENTS: 1)Purpose. The author indicates California's regulatory restrictions on the practice of cytology, which is the study of human cells to detect cancer or other abnormalities, are out of date with current technology. Other states allow a more expansive scope of practice that reflects current technology. According to the author, keeping scope of practice aligned with best practices in the field is critical to keeping jobs in the state and ensuring an adequate supply of cytotechnologists. The bill is co-sponsored by the California Society of Pathologists and the California Association of Cytotechnologists, and there is no opposition. 2)Background. Cytological tests are used to determine what the cells look like and whether they are abnormal. For example, a pap smear is a common cytological test. Cytologists work closely with pathologists, who usually perform confirmatory testing on specimens to identify and diagnose abnormalities. Cytotechnologists are regulated by CDPH under the Laboratory Field Services program. There are 770 active cytotechnologists in the state, and about 20 new licenses are issued per year. The costs of an initial license is $175. The field of cytology is evolving as new tests are being developed, including molecular and genetic tests that rely on AB 599 Page 3 advanced tools other than microscopes and slides. Because the new techniques are not limited to microscopes or slides, cytotechnologists are not authorized in California to perform them. 3)Related Legislation. AB 940 (Ridley-Thomas), pending in the Assembly Business and Professions Committee, would create two new license categories in reproductive biology and biochemical genetics. Analysis Prepared by:Lisa Murawski / APPR. / (916) 319-2081