BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó



                                                                     AB 599


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          Date of Hearing:  April 22, 2015


                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS


                                 Jimmy Gomez, Chair


          AB  
          599 (Bonilla) - As Amended April 6, 2015


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          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


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          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            out of date with current technology.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


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            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