BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 2062
Page 1
GOVERNOR'S VETO
AB 2062 (Roger Hernández)
As Amended August 21, 2014
2/3 vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |76-0 |(May 19, 2014) |SENATE: |31-1 |(August 25, |
| | | | | |2014) |
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|ASSEMBLY: |79-0 |(August 26, | | | |
| | |2014) | | | |
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Original Committee Reference: HEALTH
SUMMARY : Prohibits a health facility from employing a surgical
technologist unless the individual has completed an accredited
educational program and obtained certification as a surgical
technologist. Grandfathers in surgical technologists who were
employed in health facilities prior to January 1, 2015.
The Senate amendments clarify that all surgical technologists
must complete continuing education credits.
FISCAL EFFECT : None
COMMENTS : According to the author, surgical technologists are
the only member of the surgical team with no mandated minimum
level of education, training, or certification. The author
states that surgical technologists are key members of the
surgical team in any operating room responsible for the
environmental disinfection, safety, and efficiency and that this
is important because surgical site infections (SSIs)
significantly drive up health care costs. Eight states have
minimum education and certification requirements for surgical
technologists: Idaho, Indiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New
York, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Data from Virginia
indicate that facilities utilizing certified surgical
AB 2062
Page 2
technologists reduced the costs associated with extended stays
due to SSIs by 11%.
GOVERNOR'S VETO MESSAGE :
The bill would require that a health facility
employ only surgical technologists with specified
training and certification, with certain exceptions.
Two years ago, I vetoed a similar bill that sought "title
protection" for certified surgical technologists in
law. A new certification requirement, enforced by
hospitals, could introduce an unnecessary barrier to
employment.
Hospitals successfully employ many surgical technologists
today. They should continue to do their utmost to
ensure that everyone in an operating room is competent
and qualified to do the job.
Analysis Prepared by : Lara Flynn / HEALTH / (916) 319-2097
FN: 0005702