BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 940
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 6, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
940 (Ridley-Thomas) - As Amended April 23, 2015
-----------------------------------------------------------------
|Policy |Business and Professions |Vote:|14 - 0 |
|Committee: | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------|
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------|
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill adds licensure categories for reproductive biology and
for biochemical genetics to existing clinical lab science
professions regulated by the California Department of Public
Health (CDPH), and applies an existing fee to these new
AB 940
Page 2
categories.
It also allows licensed bioanalysts to serve as an additional
laboratory director for laboratories performing high-complexity
tests, and allows bioanalyst license applicants to obtain
required experience in an out-of-state CLIA-approved laboratory.
FISCAL EFFECT:
All costs and revenues would be Clinical Laboratory Improvement
Fund (CLIF).
1)One-time costs of in the range of $400,000 over two years.
This includes modifying regulations, program development,
creating forms and related implementation activities.
2)Ongoing costs of under $100,000 to oversee additional
licenses.
3)Projected ongoing fee revenue of approximately $90,000
associated with new licensure categories.
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. This bill is sponsored by the California Clinical
Laboratory Association to "reestablish a true career ladder in
the California clinical laboratory field." The intent is to
allow a bioanalyst to serve as an additional laboratory
director in a laboratory performing high complexity testing,
and to update licensure categories consistent with scientific
advances.
AB 940
Page 3
2)Background. Federal and state law jointly govern the provision
of laboratory services, and CDPH regulates laboratories on
behalf of the state and federal government. The federal
Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments statute (CLIA) is
the federal framework for laboratory oversight. CDPH enforces
CLIA in California, overseeing quality standards for clinical
laboratories and personnel. Laboratory technology is changing
rapidly and workforce shortages have been noted for qualified
laboratory personnel.
Analysis Prepared by:Lisa Murawski / APPR. / (916)
319-2081