State Bar of California Board of Trustees Approves Minor Amendment to Rule of Professional Conduct 5.4; Submits to Supreme Court of California

By Kirstin Jensvold-Rumage At the State Bar of California Board of Trustees meeting on September 24, 2020 [Agenda Item 54-123], the Board approved an amendment to California Rule of Professional Conduct 5.4, as proposed by the Task Force on Access Continue reading

The COVID-19 Pandemic Brings Significant Changes to the California Bar Examination

By Juan M. Villalvazo The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc in recent months on the legal profession’s most important requisite for licensure—the Bar exam. With giant convention centers full of thousands of test-takers being infeasible during the pandemic, the California Continue reading

California Public Utilities Commission Approves SDG&E Power Line Despite Opposition of Local Government and Homeowners

By Tristan Stidham On October 5, 2020, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued its final decision granting San Diego Gas & Electric Company’s (SDG&E) request for a permit to construct the Tie Line (TL) 6975, San Marcos to Escondido Continue reading

Department of Insurance Responds to Impacts from Another Devastating Wildfire Season

By Hannah Ohman Starting in August 2020, the Department of Insurance (DOI) took the following actions to address consumer issues resulting from the 2020 wildfire season: In an August 20, 2020 press release, DOI urged residents to keep all receipts Continue reading

Department of Consumer Affairs Extends series of Licensing Waivers Pertaining to the Medical Board of California During State of Emergency

By Ellen Williams On August 27, 2020, Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) Director, Kimberly Kirchmeyer, issued two orders extending the deadlines for licensing waivers issued as a result of Governor Newsom’s March 30, 2020, State of Emergency proclamation in California, Continue reading

Board of Pharmacy Readopts Emergency Regulation Related to HIV Preexposure and Postexposure Treatment

By Anna Schwartz At its September 17, 2020 meeting, the Board of Pharmacy (BOP) voted to readopt emergency regulations to add section 1747,  Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) to establish a training program for pharmacists to Continue reading

AB 890 Signed Into Law After Opposition from Board of Registered Nursing

By Kendra J. Muller AB 890 (Wood), as amended August 28, 2020, amends sections 650.01, 805, 805.5, and adds Article 8.5 to the Business and Professions Code regarding nursing practitioner guidelines. According to a bill analysis and as defined by Continue reading

Dental Board of California Closely Watches Failed Bill to Regulate Mail-Order Teeth Alignment Companies

By Jonathan Greenbergs On August 8, 2020, AB 1998 (Low) failed to pass the Assembly Committee on Business, Professions, & Economic Development. As amended June 3, 2020, this bill would have amended sections 1680, 1683.1, and 1683.2 of, and added Continue reading

Medical Board of California Endorses Legislation Allowing Pharmacists to Administer Potential COVID-19 Vaccines Without Federal-Level Approval

By Jonathan Padua At its August 13, 2020 meeting, the Medical Board of California (MBC), in anticipation of a potential COVID-19 vaccine becoming available to the general public, voted to support AB 1710 (Wood) (Chapter 123, September 24, 2020) a Continue reading

Contractors State License Board Moves to Mandate Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Its Licensees

By Sabrina Barr At its September 9, 2020 meeting, the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) unanimously approved a legislative proposal [item E-3], recommended by CSLB staff and the Board’s Workers’ Compensation Advisory Committee, that would amend sections 7125 and 7125.4 Continue reading