BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 2191
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Date of Hearing: April 20, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Lorena Gonzalez, Chair
AB
2191 (Salas) - As Amended April 6, 2016
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|Policy |Business and Professions |Vote:|16 - 0 |
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill extends the regulatory authority of the Board of
Behavioral Sciences (BBS) and its authority to appoint an
executive officer (EO) until January 1, 2021.
FISCAL EFFECT:
AB 2191
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Cost of approximately $10 million per year, for four additional
calendar years, to continue the operation of the BBS beyond the
current January 1, 2017 sunset (Behavioral Science Examiners
Fund, Professions and Vocations Fund).
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. In March 2016, the Senate Business and Professions
Committee and the Assembly Business and Professions Committee
conducted joint oversight hearings to review 11 different
regulatory entities. Sunset review bills, such as this one,
are intended to implement any legislative changes identified
as a result of the hearings and extend regulatory authority
for entities reviewed at the hearings. This bill extends the
sunset for the BBS for four years.
2)Background. The BBS regulates a number of mental health
professionals, including masters-level Licensed Clinical
Social Workers (LCSWs), Licensed Marriage and Family
Therapists (LMFTs), Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEPs),
and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCCs), as well
as associate and intern level professionals. In the sunset
review process on the BBS, issues were raised regarding the
BBS's ability to handle the increasing enforcement workload,
ensure a smooth transition during a restructure of the
examination process, increase audits of continuing education
requirements, and ensure that supervisors and supervisees are
following current statutory requirements. These issues are
not addressed in this legislation; this bill simply authorizes
the continued operation of the BBS in its current regulatory
capacity.
3)Related Legislation. AB 2190 through AB 2194 (Salas) and SB
AB 2191
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1192 through 1196 (Hill) are all 2016 sunset review bills on
various topics.
Analysis Prepared by:Lisa Murawski / APPR. / (916)
319-2081