BILL ANALYSIS Ó SB 531 Page 1 Date of Hearing: July 8, 2015 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Jimmy Gomez, Chair SB 531 (Bates) - As Amended June 25, 2015 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Policy |Business and Professions |Vote:|14 - 0 | |Committee: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |-------------+-------------------------------+-----+-------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No SUMMARY: This bill makes minor changes to the enforcement authority of the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS). Specifically, this bill allows BBS to: SB 531 Page 2 1)Deny, without a hearing, a request to petition for termination of probation or a modification of penalty, for specified reasons. 2)Continue disciplinary proceedings regardless of a change in a licensee's licensure status. FISCAL EFFECT: Minor and absorbable costs to the BBS (Behavioral Science Examiners Fund). COMMENTS: Purpose. According to the author, the goal of the proposed changes is to streamline the BBS's enforcement process. The first change outlines criteria under which the BBS may deny a petition without a hearing. This includes circumstances where the petitioner is not in compliance with his or her probation, or has had a subsequent arrest while on probation. The second change ensures BBS is able to follow through with disciplinary cases and conduct investigations, regardless if the license or registration status of a mental health professional has changed or expired, ensuring the accountability of all licensees and registrants. This bill is sponsored by the BBS. Analysis Prepared by:Lisa Murawski / APPR. / (916) 319-2081 SB 531 Page 3