California State Bar Board of Trustees Creates Working Group to Consider Paraprofessional Program

By Alaina Dye At its January 24, 2020 meeting, the State Bar of California’s Board of Trustees adopted a resolution directing staff to consult with the Board’s Access Liaisons to take steps to form a working group to develop recommendations Continue reading

Department of Managed Health Care Fines Health Plans $1.9 Million for Failing to Provide Care to California Enrollees

By Rayne Brown On December 18, 2019, the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) announced an enforcement action against 12 health plans, imposing fines totaling $1.9 million for their failure to properly oversee a contracted medical group that was improperly Continue reading

Senator Gonzalez Introduces Equal Insurance HIV Act

By Marie McDonald Hulen SB 961 (Gonzalez), as introduced on February 10, 2020, known as the Equal Insurance HIV Act, would repeal and add sections 799.01 and 799.02, and add sections 799.03–799.10 to the Insurance Code. The California Department of Continue reading

Assemblymember Evan Low Introduces Legislation to Require Dentists to Conduct In-Person Examinations Before Approving Teleorthodontics Treatment

By Katie Abajian AB 1998 (Low), as introduced January 27, 2020, would amend section 1680 of the Business and Professions Code to make it unprofessional conduct for a dentist to diagnose and correct malpositions of human teeth or use orthodontic Continue reading

Department of Managed Health Care Director Approves Anthem, Inc.’s Acquisition of Beacon Health Options

By Taylor C. Brewer On February 5th, 2020, during a public meeting of the Financial Solvency Standards Board, Director of the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) Shelley Rouillard announced her approval of Anthem, Inc.’s proposed acquisition of Beacon Health Continue reading

Board of Registered Nursing Submits Progress Report to the Legislature Regarding Implementation of its Comprehensive Continuing Education Plan

By Shana Sobel On January 1, 2020, the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN or Board) submitted its progress report to the legislature on the Implementation of the Comprehensive Continuing Education Plan for Approving and Disapproving Continuing Education Opportunities. BRN submitted Continue reading

Northern California Introduce AB-1941 to Address Power Shut-Offs and Wildfire Prevention

By Marcus Friedman AB 1941 (Gallagher), as amended February 18, 2020, would amend various sections of the Public Utilities Code, to temporarily suspend public utilities’ obligations to meet the requirements of the California Renewables Portfolio Standard Program (the Program) until Continue reading

Bill Seeking to Allow Nurse Practitioners to Perform Services Without Physician Supervision Gains Momentum

By Shana Sobel AB 890 (Wood), as amended January 23, 2020, is a two-year bill that would add Article 8.5 (commencing with section 2837.100), and would repeal Section 2837.101, of the Business and Professions Code to authorize a nurse practitioner Continue reading

Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education Releases Sunset Review Report

By Mikaila C. Hernández On December 1, 2019, the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) published its Sunset Review Report in preparation for its Sunset Review Oversight hearing before the Assembly Business and Professions Committee and the Senate Business, Professions Continue reading

Board of Pharmacy Notices Proposed Amendments to Renewal Requirements

By Stephanie Mendivil On February 7, 2020, the Board of Pharmacy published notice of its intent to amend sections 1702, 1702.1, 1702.2, and 1702.5, Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations to simplify the 39 separate license types within Continue reading