BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2551
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Date of Hearing: May 19, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Felipe Fuentes, Chair
AB 2551 (Hernandez) - As Amended: April 26, 2010
Policy Committee: Business &
Professions Vote: 7-4
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill creates the California Pharmacy Technician Scholarship
and Loan Repayment Program to provide scholarships and loan
repayment for pharmacy technicians practicing in underserved
areas. Specifically, this bill authorizes the Health Professions
Education Foundation, administered by the Office of Statewide
Health Planning and Development, to solicit and receive funds
for the support of the program established by the bill.
FISCAL EFFECT
1)No direct fiscal impact is created by authorizing the Health
Professions Education Foundation within OSHPD to accept
donations to support the loan fund established by this bill.
2)Several other similar health professions loan programs are
supported by surcharges included in annual licensure
processes. This bill does not contain a similar self-funding
mechanism.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale . This bill establishes a scholarship and loan
repayment program specifically for pharmacy technicians.
According to the author, few community colleges offer the
specialized associate degree in pharmacy technology. Many
students must study at costly private or vocational schools.
2)Background . A pharmacy technician practices under the direct
supervision of a pharmacist and performs packaging and other
non-discretionary tasks related to the processing of a
prescription in a licensed pharmacy. The scope of practice of
a pharmacy technician excludes all functions of a registered
pharmacist. Statewide there are more than 51,000 pharmacy
AB 2551
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technicians working under the supervision of more than 35,000
licensed pharmacists.
3)The Allied Healthcare Scholarship Program is available under
current law to pharmacy technician students. Awards are also
available to students in other allied healthcare programs
including medical laboratory technology, occupational therapy,
physical therapy, and respiratory care.
4)Related Legislation . SB 615 (Oropeza) in 2007 was similar to
this bill and was vetoed due to concerns about duplicative
efforts with regard to the current law Allied Healthcare
Scholarship Program. It does not appear AB 2551 has addressed
the veto concern.
Analysis Prepared by : Mary Ader / APPR. / (916) 319-2081