BILL NUMBER: AB 1433	CHAPTERED  09/16/99

	CHAPTER   411
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   SEPTEMBER 16, 1999
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR   SEPTEMBER 16, 1999
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY   AUGUST 26, 1999
	PASSED THE SENATE   AUGUST 23, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   AUGUST 17, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   JULY 2, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   JUNE 17, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   APRIL 26, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Granlund

                        FEBRUARY 26, 1999

   An act to amend Section 680 of the Business and Professions Code,
relating to certified nurse assistants.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1433, Granlund.  Certified nurse assistants.
   Existing law provides for the certification of nurse assistants.
   Existing law requires a health care practitioner to disclose his
or her name and practitioner's license status in a specified manner.
Under existing law, it is unlawful for any person to use the title
"nurse" in reference to himself or herself and in any capacity with
certain exceptions.  Existing law provides that these provisions do
not prohibit a certified nurse's aide from using his or her title.
   This bill would instead provide that the above-described
provisions do not prohibit a certified nurse assistant from using his
or her title.
   The bill would require the State Department of Social Services,
State Department of Mental Health, and the State Department of Health
Services to develop and implement policies to ensure that health
care practitioners in licensed facilities are in compliance with the
above described provisions, as specified, and would require those
departments to verify compliance through periodic inspections of the
facilities.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 680 of the Business and Professions Code is
amended to read:
   680.  (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a health
care practitioner shall disclose, while working, his or her name and
practitioner's license status, as granted by this state, on a name
tag in at least 18-point type.  A health care practitioner in a
practice or an office, whose license is prominently displayed, may
opt to not wear a name tag.  If a health care practitioner or a
licensed clinical social worker is working in a psychiatric setting
or in a setting that is not licensed by the state, the employing
entity or agency shall have the discretion to make an exception from
the name tag requirement for individual safety or therapeutic
concerns.  In the interest of public safety and consumer awareness,
it shall be unlawful for any person to use the title "nurse" in
reference to himself or herself and in any capacity, except for an
individual who is a registered nurse, or a licensed vocational nurse,
or as otherwise provided in Section 2800.  Nothing in this section
shall prohibit a certified nurse assistant from using his or her
title.
   (b) Facilities licensed by the State Department of Social
Services, the State Department of Mental Health, or the State
Department of Health Services, shall develop and implement policies
to ensure that health care practitioners providing care in those
facilities are in compliance with subdivision (a).  The State
Department of Social Services, the State Department of Mental Health,
and the State Department of Health Services shall verify through
periodic inspections that the policies required pursuant to
subdivision (a) have been developed and implemented by the respective
licensed facilities.
   (c) For purposes of this article, "health care practitioner" means
any person who engages in acts that are the subject of licensure or
regulation under this division or under any initiative act referred
to in this division.