BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular Session
AB 599 (Bonilla) - Clinical laboratories: cytotechnologists
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|Version: May 28, 2015 |Policy Vote: B., P. & E.D. 9 - |
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|Urgency: No |Mandate: No |
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|Hearing Date: June 22, 2015 |Consultant: Brendan McCarthy |
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This bill does not meet the criteria for referral to the
Suspense File.
Bill
Summary: AB 599 would expand the scope of practice for
cytotechnologists by allowing a licensed cytotechnologist to
perform all tests and procedures pertaining to cytology, under
the supervision of a laboratory director.
Fiscal
Impact:
One-time costs of about $120,000 per year for two years to
develop and adopt regulations regarding training standards and
the scope of practice for cytotechnologists by the Department
of Public Health (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Fund). Those
costs will be covered by licensing fee revenues.
Minor ongoing costs to license cytotechnologists and enforce
AB 599 (Bonilla) Page 1 of
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the revised standards by the Department of Public Health
(Clinical Laboratory Improvement Fund).
Background: Under current law, the Department of Public Health licenses
clinical laboratories and certain occupations associated with
clinical laboratories, including cytotechnologists.
Cytotechnologists perform processing and review of microscopic
samples to determine pathology. Current law limits the scope of
practice for cytotechnologists to the examination of cytological
slides. Since the adoption of current statutory requirements,
technology in the area of cytotechnology has evolved and there
are non-slide based tests and techniques taught in
cytotechnology training programs. Concerns have been raised by
the author and others that current statutory limitations on the
practice of cytotechnology are causing trained cytologists to
leave the state to practice in other states where they can
utilize all of their training.
Proposed Law:
AB 599 would expand the scope of practice for
cytotechnologists by allowing a licensed cytotechnologist to
perform all tests and procedures pertaining to cytology, under
the supervision of a laboratory director.
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