Department Did Not Violate Weldon Amendment, According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

By Hunter W. Collins In an August 13, 2021 letter, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) withdrew and closed a complaint against the State of California and the Department of Managed Health Care Continue reading

After Declaration of Emergency—Mandatory Moratorium on Cancellations and Non-Renewals of Residential Property Insurance

By Julia Zeigler On September 20, 2021, Department of Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued a “bulletin” to announce the mandatory moratorium on cancellations and non-renewals of policies of residential property insurance. His announcement follows another year of record-breaking wildfires in Continue reading

Medical Board of California Focuses on Reform and Distinctions for Medical and Midwife Assistant Certifying Organizations in 2021

By Divya Sriharan On June 4, 2021, the Medical Board of California (MBC) published notice of its intent to amend sections 1366.3, 1366.31, and 1379.07, Title 16 of the CCR regarding Medical and Midwife Assistant Certifying Organizations and Administration of Continue reading

Director of the Veterinary Medical Board Named in Telemedicine Lawsuit Filed by the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

By Stella Gerson On May 3, 2021 in San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, et al. v. Jessica Sieferman, Case No. 2:21-cv-00786-TLN-KJN (E.D. Cal.), plaintiffs San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Continue reading

California Public Utilities Commission Issues Proposed Rulemaking Decision to Enhance Regulatory Oversight and Enforcement of Investor-Owned Utilities

By Riley Minkoff On September 17, 2021, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced the issuance of the proposed rulemaking decision R-20-07-013. This decision, if adopted, would further develop a risk-based framework for electric and gas utility decisions. The proposed Continue reading

Assembly Bill 526 Would Authorize Dentists with Necessary Training to Administer COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccines

By Dimitri Davis AB 526 (Wood), as amended September 1, 2021, would amend section 1209 and add sections 1625.6 and 1645.2 to the Business and Professions Code, which would allow dentists to independently prescribe and administer influenza and COVID-19 vaccines Continue reading

Board’s Proposed Amendment on Reporting Pharmacy Drug Loss Undergoing Review by OAL

By Steven Funk On June 4, 2021, the California Board of Pharmacy (BOP) published notice of its intent to amend section 1715.6, Title 16 of the CCR to reduce mandatory reporting of loss of controlled substances, which is set forth Continue reading

Passage of SB 11 Expands California FAIR Plan Coverage

By Allison Plette SB 11 (Rubio), as amended June 28, 2021, expands sections 10091 and 10094 of the California Insurance Code covering the California FAIR Plan. The amendments remove exclusions for “farm risks” from the definition of “basic property insurance.” Continue reading

California Supreme Court Defines Scope of Anti-SLAPP Law in Peer Review Proceedings Dispute

By Tala Hughes On July 29, 2021, in Bonni v. St. Joseph Health System, 11 Cal. 5th 995 (2021), the California Supreme Court issued an opinion holding that statements made in connection with peer review proceedings and the required reporting Continue reading

New Law Makes Illegal Dumping a Cause for Disciplinary Action by Contractors State License Board

By Thomas A. T. Ferrari AB 246 (Quirk), as introduced January 13, 2021, and revised April 8, 2021, repeals and adds section 7110 to the Business and Professions Code relating to contractors. This bill explicitly makes a licensed contractor’s unlawful Continue reading