CAMLT POLITICAL UPDATE
By Public Policy Advocates, LLC
GOVERNOR/LEGISLATURE
The Legislature has returned from winter recess and has begun what will be an interesting calendar for this legislative year. California will be facing budget deficit issues most likely as last year. We will be on the lookout for bills that need to be supported, opposed, or be neutral.
LEGISLATION
We are currently in the first year of a 2-year legislative session. Public Policy Advocates in conjunction with CAMLT continues to confront legislation to expand scope of practice and efforts to dilute standards. At the direction of CAMLT, PPA secured an Author and had legislation introduced to secure grants for training programs. Please check the website for ongoing updates on bill status.
Click on each bill number for access to full text of each measure:
CAMLT SPONSOR BILL
AB 481 (Rubio, Blanca D) Healing arts: clinical laboratories: personnel.
04/02/2025 Amended - OPPOSED
02/10/2025 Introduced
Summary: Current law prohibits, except as specified, a person from performing a clinical laboratory test or examination classified as of moderate or high complexity under the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) unless the test or examination is performed under the overall operation and administration of the laboratory director, as specified. Current law authorizes unlicensed laboratory personnel who have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent and who meet specified training requirements to perform specified activities under the supervision and control of a physician and surgeon or licensed person. This bill would authorize a person to assist, as defined, in the performance of moderate or high complexity testing in a clinical laboratory if the person, in addition to the above requirements, meets the requirements under CLIA for moderate or high complexity testing. Prior to assisting in the performance of the specified activities, the bill would require the person, under direct and constant supervision, to demonstrate the skills and ability to satisfactorily perform the task.
Status: 4/2/2025-Read second time and amended.
Current Location: 4/1/2025-A. APPR.
AB 304 (Chen R) Training programs: clinical laboratories and personnel:
Introduced 1/23/2025 - SPONSOR/SUPPORT
Summary: Current law requires the State Department of Public Health to license and regulate clinical laboratories and various clinical laboratory personnel, including medical laboratory technicians. Current law prohibits a person from operating a training program or course for the purpose of training clinical laboratory scientists or medical laboratory technicians without the prior approval of the department. Current law imposes on the department specified duties related to the approval and regulation of training programs for instruction in clinical laboratory techniques. Current law establishes a Department of Health Care Access and Information within the California Health and Human Services Agency. Current law authorizes the department to make grants to develop training for new types of health professions personnel, as specified. This bill would require the Department of Health Care Access and Information, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to establish a grant program to provide funding for qualified training programs, as defined, that are approved by the State Department of Public Health, as specified. The bill would also require a grantee to expend funds within 3 years of receiving the grant.
Status: 4/9/2025 - In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
Current Location: 4/9/2025 - A. APPR. SUSPENSE FILE
REGULATIONS
Please click this link to see the January 1, 2025 update on California Code Regulation Title 17, § 1030.8 - Licensure and Work Scope of a Clinical Laboratory Scientist Who Meets Requirements for Medical Laboratory Technician Licensure. This new regulation allows for a bridge for MLT to advance into being a Clinical Laboratory Scientist.
Please click this link to see the January 1, 2025 update on California Code Regulation Title 17, § 1030.5 - Licensure and Work Scope of a Clinical Laboratory Trainee.
CAMLT is poised to review any regulatory packages that affect clinical laboratories.