AB 2581: Healing arts: continuing education: maternal mental health.
- Session Year: 2023-2024
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2024-09-28
Current Status:
Passed
(2024-09-28: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 836, Statutes of 2024.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Enacted
Existing law, the Nursing Practice Act, establishes the Board of Registered Nursing and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of the practice of nursing. Existing law, the Psychology Licensing Law, establishes the Board of Psychology and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of psychologists. Existing law, the Physician Assistant Practice Act, establishes the Physician Assistant Board and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physician assistants.
Existing law, the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act, the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act, the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act, and the Educational Psychologist Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of the practices of marriage and family therapy, clinical social work, professional clinical counseling, and education psychology, respectively, by the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Existing law establishes continuing education requirements for all of these various healing arts practitioners.
This bill would require the above-specified boards, in determining their continuing education requirements, to consider including a course in maternal mental health.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by AB 2270 and SB 639 to be operative only if this bill and either or both of those bills are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Sections 3524.5, 4989.34, 4996.22, and 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by AB 2270 to be operative only if this bill and AB 2270 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by AB 2270 and Senate Bill 1526 to be operative only if this bill and either or both of those bills are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
Existing law, the Nursing Practice Act, establishes the Board of Registered Nursing and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of the practice of nursing. Existing law, the Psychology Licensing Law, establishes the Board of Psychology and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of psychologists. Existing law, the Physician Assistant Practice Act, establishes the Physician Assistant Board and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physician assistants.
Existing law, the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act, the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act, the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act, and the Educational Psychologist Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of the practices of marriage and family therapy, clinical social work, professional clinical counseling, and education psychology, respectively, by the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Existing law establishes continuing education requirements for all of these various healing arts practitioners.
This bill would require the above-specified boards, in determining their continuing education requirements, to consider including a course in maternal mental health.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by AB 2270 and SB 639 to be operative only if this bill and either or both of those bills are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Sections 3524.5, 4989.34, 4996.22, and 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by AB 2270 to be operative only if this bill and AB 2270 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by AB 2270 and Senate Bill 1526 to be operative only if this bill and either or both of those bills are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
Existing law, the Nursing Practice Act, establishes the Board of Registered Nursing and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of the practice of nursing. Existing law, the Psychology Licensing Law, establishes the Board of Psychology and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of psychologists. Existing law, the Physician Assistant Practice Act, establishes the Physician Assistant Board and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physician assistants.
Existing law, the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act, the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act, the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act, and the Educational Psychologist Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of the practices of marriage and family therapy, clinical social work, professional clinical counseling, and education psychology, respectively, by the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Existing law establishes continuing education requirements for all of these various healing arts practitioners.
This bill would require the above-specified boards, in determining their continuing education requirements, to consider including a course in maternal mental health.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by AB 2270 and SB 639 to be operative only if this bill and either or both of those bills are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Sections 3524.5, 4989.34, 4996.22, and 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by AB 2270 to be operative only if this bill and AB 2270 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by AB 2270 and Senate Bill 1526 to be operative only if this bill and either or both of those bills are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons. Existing law, the Nursing Practice Act, establishes the Board of Registered Nursing and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of the practice of nursing. Existing law, the Psychology Licensing Law, establishes the Board of Psychology and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of psychologists. Existing law, the Physician Assistant Practice Act, establishes the Physician Assistant Board and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physician assistants.
Existing law, the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act, the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act, the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act, and the Educational Psychologist Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of the practices of marriage and family therapy, clinical social work, professional clinical counseling, and education psychology, respectively, by the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Existing law establishes continuing education requirements for all of these various healing arts practitioners.
This bill would require licensees under these provisions to have the option of taking coursework on maternal mental health to satisfy continuing education and professional development requirements. the above-specified boards, in determining their continuing education requirements, to consider including a course in maternal mental health.
Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons. Existing law, the Nursing Practice Act, establishes the Board of Registered Nursing and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of the practice of nursing. Existing law, the Psychology Licensing Law, establishes the Board of Psychology and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of psychologists. Existing law, the Physician Assistant Practice Act, establishes the Physician Assistant Board and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physician assistants.
Existing law, the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act, the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act, the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act, and the Educational Psychologist Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of the practices of marriage and family therapy, clinical social work, professional clinical counseling, and education psychology, respectively, by the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Existing law establishes continuing education requirements for all of these various healing arts practitioners.
This bill would require licensees under these provisions to have the option of taking coursework on maternal mental health to satisfy continuing education and professional development requirements.
(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
SEC. 1.1.Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2811.5.(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)(1)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(2)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
SEC. 1.2.Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2811.5.(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
(j)For the purpose of fulfilling the requirements of subdivision (a), a nurse practitioner who provides primary care to a patient population of which over 25 percent are 65 years of age or older shall certify that they have completed at least 20 percent of all existing mandatory continuing education hours in a course in the field of gerontology, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients at the time of renewal.
SEC. 1.3.Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2811.5.(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)(1)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(2)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
(j)For the purpose of fulfilling the requirements of subdivision (a), a nurse practitioner who provides primary care to a patient population of which over 25 percent are 65 years of age or older shall certify that they have completed at least 20 percent of all existing mandatory continuing education hours in a course in the field of gerontology, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients at the time of renewal.
SEC. 2.Section 2914.5 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:2914.5.In determining its continuing professional development, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
SEC. 3.Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:3524.5.(a)The board may require a licensee to complete continuing education as a condition of license renewal under Section 3523 or 3524. The board shall not require more than 50 hours of continuing education every two years. The board shall, as it deems appropriate, accept certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), or another qualified certifying body, as determined by the board, as evidence of compliance with continuing education requirements.
(b)(1)The board shall adopt regulations to require that, on and after January 1, 2022, all continuing education courses for licensees under this chapter contain curriculum that includes the understanding of implicit bias.
(2)Beginning January 1, 2023, continuing education providers shall ensure compliance with paragraph (1).
(3)Beginning January 1, 2023, the board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(c)Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (b), a continuing education course dedicated solely to research or other issues that does not include a direct patient care component is not required to contain curriculum that includes implicit bias in the practice of physician assistants.
(d)In order to satisfy the requirements of subdivision (a), continuing education courses shall address at least one or a combination of the following:
(1)Examples of how implicit bias affects perceptions and treatment decisions of physician assistants, leading to disparities in health outcomes.
(2)Strategies to address how unintended biases in decisionmaking may contribute to health care disparities by shaping behavior and producing differences in medical treatment along lines of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics.
(e)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
SEC. 3.5.Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:3524.5.(a)The board may require a licensee to complete continuing education as a condition of license renewal under Section 3523 or 3524. The board shall not require more than 50 hours of continuing education every two years. The board shall, as it deems appropriate, accept certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), or another qualified certifying body, as determined by the board, as evidence of compliance with continuing education requirements.
(b)(1)The board shall adopt regulations to require that, on and after January 1, 2022, all continuing education courses for licensees under this chapter contain curriculum that includes the understanding of implicit bias.
(2)Beginning January 1, 2023, continuing education providers shall ensure compliance with paragraph (1).
(3)Beginning January 1, 2023, the board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(c)Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (b), a continuing education course dedicated solely to research or other issues that does not include a direct patient care component is not required to contain curriculum that includes implicit bias in the practice of physician assistants.
(d)In order to satisfy the requirements of subdivision (a), continuing education courses shall address at least one or a combination of the following:
(1)Examples of how implicit bias affects perceptions and treatment decisions of physician assistants, leading to disparities in health outcomes.
(2)Strategies to address how unintended biases in decisionmaking may contribute to health care disparities by shaping behavior and producing differences in medical treatment along lines of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics.
(e)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
SEC. 4.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school or state-approved school that meets the requirements set forth in Section 4980.36 or 4980.37. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 4.1.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school or state-approved school that meets the requirements set forth in Section 4980.36 or 4980.37. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 4.2.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4980.03. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 4.3.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4980.03. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 5.Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4989.34.(a)To renew a license, a licensee shall certify to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, completion in the preceding two years of not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in, or relevant to, educational psychology.
(b)(1)The continuing education shall be obtained from either an accredited university or a continuing education provider as specified by the board by regulation.
(2)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education shall comply with procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(c)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(d)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of educational psychology in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(e)The board may audit the records of a licensee to verify completion of the continuing education requirement. A licensee shall maintain records of the completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon its request.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as determined by the board.
(g)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 5.5.Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4989.34.(a)To renew a license, a licensee shall certify to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, completion in the preceding two years of not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in, or relevant to, educational psychology.
(b)(1)The continuing education shall be obtained from either an accredited university or a continuing education provider as specified by the board by regulation.
(2)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education shall comply with procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(c)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(d)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of educational psychology in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(e)The board may audit the records of a licensee to verify completion of the continuing education requirement. A licensee shall maintain records of the completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon its request.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as determined by the board.
(g)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 6.Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.22.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of social work in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any license of an applicant who began graduate study before January 1, 2004, pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board that during the applicants first renewal period after the operative date of this section, the applicant completed a continuing education course in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies, including community resources, cultural factors, and same gender abuse dynamics. On and after January 1, 2005, the course shall consist of not less than seven hours of training. Equivalent courses in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies taken before the operative date of this section or proof of equivalent teaching or practice experience may be submitted to the board and at its discretion, may be accepted in satisfaction of this requirement. Continuing education courses taken pursuant to this paragraph shall be applied to the 36 hours of approved continuing education required under paragraph (1).
(3)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause as defined by the board.
(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school of social work, as defined in Section 4991.2, or a school or department of social work that is a candidate for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)A school, college, or university accredited by a regional or national institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education or a school, college, or university that is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
(3)Another continuing education provider, as specified by the board by regulation.
(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (e), shall adhere to the procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(2)Aspects of the social work discipline in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other related disciplines that enhance the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(h)A system of continuing education for licensed clinical social workers shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
(j)The board may adopt regulations as necessary to implement this section.
SEC. 6.5.Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.22.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of social work in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any license of an applicant who began graduate study before January 1, 2004, pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board that during the applicants first renewal period after the operative date of this section, the applicant completed a continuing education course in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies, including community resources, cultural factors, and same gender abuse dynamics. On and after January 1, 2005, the course shall consist of not less than seven hours of training. Equivalent courses in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies taken before the operative date of this section or proof of equivalent teaching or practice experience may be submitted to the board and at its discretion, may be accepted in satisfaction of this requirement. Continuing education courses taken pursuant to this paragraph shall be applied to the 36 hours of approved continuing education required under paragraph (1).
(3)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause as defined by the board.
(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school of social work, as defined in Section 4991.2, or a school or department of social work that is a candidate for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)A school, college, or university accredited by a regional or national institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education or a school, college, or university that is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
(3)Another continuing education provider, as specified by the board by regulation.
(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (e), shall adhere to the procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(2)Aspects of the social work discipline in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other related disciplines that enhance the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(h)A system of continuing education for licensed clinical social workers shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
(j)The board may adopt regulations as necessary to implement this section.
SEC. 7.Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.76.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of professional clinical counseling in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completed continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4999.12. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers as specified by the board by regulation.
(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (e), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(2)Significant recent developments in the discipline of professional clinical counseling.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(h)A system of continuing education for licensed professional clinical counselors shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall fully comply with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 7.5.Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.76.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of professional clinical counseling in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completed continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4999.12. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers as specified by the board by regulation.
(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (e), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(2)Significant recent developments in the discipline of professional clinical counseling.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(h)A system of continuing education for licensed professional clinical counselors shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall fully comply with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 8.(a)Section 1.1 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and AB 2270. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) SB 639 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after AB 2270, in which case Sections 1, 1.2, and 1.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(b)Section 1.2 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and SB 639. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) AB 2270 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after SB 639, in which case Sections 1, 1.1, and 1.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(c)Section 1.3 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by this bill, AB 2270, and SB 639. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) all three bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) all three bills amend Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after AB 2270 and SB 639, in which case Sections 1, 1.1, and 1.2 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 9.Section 3.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2270. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2270, in which case Section 3 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 10.(a)Section 4.1 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2270. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) Senate Bill 1526 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2270, in which case Sections 4, 4.2, and 4.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(b)Section 4.2 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 1526. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) Assembly Bill 2270 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1526 in which case Sections 4, 4.1, and 4.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(c)Section 4.3 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by this bill, Assembly Bill 2270, and Senate Bill 1526. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) all three bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) all three bills amend Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2270 and Senate Bill 1526, in which case Sections 4, 4.1, and 4.2 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 11.Section 5.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2270. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2270, in which case Section 5 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 12.Section 6.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2270. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2270, in which case Section 6 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 13.Section 7.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2270. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2270, in which case Section 7 of this bill shall not become operative.
(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
SEC. 1.1.Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2811.5.(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)(1)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(2)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
SEC. 1.2.Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2811.5.(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
(j)For the purpose of fulfilling the requirements of subdivision (a), a nurse practitioner who provides primary care to a patient population of which over 25 percent are 65 years of age or older shall certify that they have completed at least 20 percent of all existing mandatory continuing education hours in a course in the field of gerontology, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients at the time of renewal.
SEC. 1.3.Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2811.5.(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)(1)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(2)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
(j)For the purpose of fulfilling the requirements of subdivision (a), a nurse practitioner who provides primary care to a patient population of which over 25 percent are 65 years of age or older shall certify that they have completed at least 20 percent of all existing mandatory continuing education hours in a course in the field of gerontology, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients at the time of renewal.
SEC. 2.Section 2914.5 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:2914.5.In determining its continuing professional development, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
SEC. 3.Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:3524.5.(a)The board may require a licensee to complete continuing education as a condition of license renewal under Section 3523 or 3524. The board shall not require more than 50 hours of continuing education every two years. The board shall, as it deems appropriate, accept certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), or another qualified certifying body, as determined by the board, as evidence of compliance with continuing education requirements.
(b)(1)The board shall adopt regulations to require that, on and after January 1, 2022, all continuing education courses for licensees under this chapter contain curriculum that includes the understanding of implicit bias.
(2)Beginning January 1, 2023, continuing education providers shall ensure compliance with paragraph (1).
(3)Beginning January 1, 2023, the board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(c)Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (b), a continuing education course dedicated solely to research or other issues that does not include a direct patient care component is not required to contain curriculum that includes implicit bias in the practice of physician assistants.
(d)In order to satisfy the requirements of subdivision (a), continuing education courses shall address at least one or a combination of the following:
(1)Examples of how implicit bias affects perceptions and treatment decisions of physician assistants, leading to disparities in health outcomes.
(2)Strategies to address how unintended biases in decisionmaking may contribute to health care disparities by shaping behavior and producing differences in medical treatment along lines of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics.
(e)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
SEC. 3.5.Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:3524.5.(a)The board may require a licensee to complete continuing education as a condition of license renewal under Section 3523 or 3524. The board shall not require more than 50 hours of continuing education every two years. The board shall, as it deems appropriate, accept certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), or another qualified certifying body, as determined by the board, as evidence of compliance with continuing education requirements.
(b)(1)The board shall adopt regulations to require that, on and after January 1, 2022, all continuing education courses for licensees under this chapter contain curriculum that includes the understanding of implicit bias.
(2)Beginning January 1, 2023, continuing education providers shall ensure compliance with paragraph (1).
(3)Beginning January 1, 2023, the board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(c)Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (b), a continuing education course dedicated solely to research or other issues that does not include a direct patient care component is not required to contain curriculum that includes implicit bias in the practice of physician assistants.
(d)In order to satisfy the requirements of subdivision (a), continuing education courses shall address at least one or a combination of the following:
(1)Examples of how implicit bias affects perceptions and treatment decisions of physician assistants, leading to disparities in health outcomes.
(2)Strategies to address how unintended biases in decisionmaking may contribute to health care disparities by shaping behavior and producing differences in medical treatment along lines of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics.
(e)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
SEC. 4.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school or state-approved school that meets the requirements set forth in Section 4980.36 or 4980.37. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 4.1.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school or state-approved school that meets the requirements set forth in Section 4980.36 or 4980.37. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 4.2.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4980.03. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 4.3.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4980.03. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 5.Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4989.34.(a)To renew a license, a licensee shall certify to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, completion in the preceding two years of not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in, or relevant to, educational psychology.
(b)(1)The continuing education shall be obtained from either an accredited university or a continuing education provider as specified by the board by regulation.
(2)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education shall comply with procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(c)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(d)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of educational psychology in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(e)The board may audit the records of a licensee to verify completion of the continuing education requirement. A licensee shall maintain records of the completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon its request.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as determined by the board.
(g)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 5.5.Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4989.34.(a)To renew a license, a licensee shall certify to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, completion in the preceding two years of not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in, or relevant to, educational psychology.
(b)(1)The continuing education shall be obtained from either an accredited university or a continuing education provider as specified by the board by regulation.
(2)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education shall comply with procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(c)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(d)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of educational psychology in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(e)The board may audit the records of a licensee to verify completion of the continuing education requirement. A licensee shall maintain records of the completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon its request.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as determined by the board.
(g)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 6.Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.22.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of social work in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any license of an applicant who began graduate study before January 1, 2004, pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board that during the applicants first renewal period after the operative date of this section, the applicant completed a continuing education course in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies, including community resources, cultural factors, and same gender abuse dynamics. On and after January 1, 2005, the course shall consist of not less than seven hours of training. Equivalent courses in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies taken before the operative date of this section or proof of equivalent teaching or practice experience may be submitted to the board and at its discretion, may be accepted in satisfaction of this requirement. Continuing education courses taken pursuant to this paragraph shall be applied to the 36 hours of approved continuing education required under paragraph (1).
(3)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause as defined by the board.
(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school of social work, as defined in Section 4991.2, or a school or department of social work that is a candidate for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)A school, college, or university accredited by a regional or national institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education or a school, college, or university that is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
(3)Another continuing education provider, as specified by the board by regulation.
(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (e), shall adhere to the procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(2)Aspects of the social work discipline in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other related disciplines that enhance the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(h)A system of continuing education for licensed clinical social workers shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
(j)The board may adopt regulations as necessary to implement this section.
SEC. 6.5.Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.22.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of social work in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any license of an applicant who began graduate study before January 1, 2004, pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board that during the applicants first renewal period after the operative date of this section, the applicant completed a continuing education course in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies, including community resources, cultural factors, and same gender abuse dynamics. On and after January 1, 2005, the course shall consist of not less than seven hours of training. Equivalent courses in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies taken before the operative date of this section or proof of equivalent teaching or practice experience may be submitted to the board and at its discretion, may be accepted in satisfaction of this requirement. Continuing education courses taken pursuant to this paragraph shall be applied to the 36 hours of approved continuing education required under paragraph (1).
(3)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause as defined by the board.
(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school of social work, as defined in Section 4991.2, or a school or department of social work that is a candidate for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)A school, college, or university accredited by a regional or national institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education or a school, college, or university that is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
(3)Another continuing education provider, as specified by the board by regulation.
(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (e), shall adhere to the procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(2)Aspects of the social work discipline in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other related disciplines that enhance the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(h)A system of continuing education for licensed clinical social workers shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
(j)The board may adopt regulations as necessary to implement this section.
SEC. 7.Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.76.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of professional clinical counseling in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completed continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4999.12. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers as specified by the board by regulation.
(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (e), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(2)Significant recent developments in the discipline of professional clinical counseling.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(h)A system of continuing education for licensed professional clinical counselors shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall fully comply with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 7.5.Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.76.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of professional clinical counseling in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completed continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4999.12. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers as specified by the board by regulation.
(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (e), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(2)Significant recent developments in the discipline of professional clinical counseling.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(h)A system of continuing education for licensed professional clinical counselors shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall fully comply with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 8.(a)Section 1.1 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and AB 2270. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) SB 639 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after AB 2270, in which case Sections 1, 1.2, and 1.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(b)Section 1.2 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and SB 639. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) AB 2270 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after SB 639, in which case Sections 1, 1.1, and 1.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(c)Section 1.3 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by this bill, AB 2270, and SB 639. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) all three bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) all three bills amend Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after AB 2270 and SB 639, in which case Sections 1, 1.1, and 1.2 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 9.Section 3.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2270. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2270, in which case Section 3 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 10.(a)Section 4.1 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2270. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) Senate Bill 1526 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2270, in which case Sections 4, 4.2, and 4.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(b)Section 4.2 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 1526. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) Assembly Bill 2270 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1526 in which case Sections 4, 4.1, and 4.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(c)Section 4.3 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by this bill, Assembly Bill 2270, and Senate Bill 1526. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) all three bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) all three bills amend Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2270 and Senate Bill 1526, in which case Sections 4, 4.1, and 4.2 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 11.Section 5.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2270. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2270, in which case Section 5 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 12.Section 6.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2270. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2270, in which case Section 6 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 13.Section 7.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2270. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2270, in which case Section 7 of this bill shall not become operative.
(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
SEC. 1.1.Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2811.5.(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)(1)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(2)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(g)(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(h)(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
SEC. 1.2.Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2811.5.(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(g)(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(h)(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
(j)For the purpose of fulfilling the requirements of subdivision (a), a nurse practitioner who provides primary care to a patient population of which over 25 percent are 65 years of age or older shall certify that they have completed at least 20 percent of all existing mandatory continuing education hours in a course in the field of gerontology, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients at the time of renewal.
SEC. 1.3.Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:2811.5.(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)(1)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(2)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(g)(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(h)(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
(j)For the purpose of fulfilling the requirements of subdivision (a), a nurse practitioner who provides primary care to a patient population of which over 25 percent are 65 years of age or older shall certify that they have completed at least 20 percent of all existing mandatory continuing education hours in a course in the field of gerontology, the special care needs of patients with dementia, or the care of older patients at the time of renewal.
SEC. 2.Section 2914.4 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:2914.4. SEC. 2.Section 2914.5 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:2914.5.In determining its continuing professional development, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
SEC. 3.Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:3524.5.(a)The board may require a licensee to complete continuing education as a condition of license renewal under Section 3523 or 3524. The board shall not require more than 50 hours of continuing education every two years. The board shall, as it deems appropriate, accept certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), or another qualified certifying body, as determined by the board, as evidence of compliance with continuing education requirements.
(b)(1)The board shall adopt regulations to require that, on and after January 1, 2022, all continuing education courses for licensees under this chapter contain curriculum that includes the understanding of implicit bias.
(2)Beginning January 1, 2023, continuing education providers shall ensure compliance with paragraph (1).
(3)Beginning January 1, 2023, the board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(c)Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (b), a continuing education course dedicated solely to research or other issues that does not include a direct patient care component is not required to contain curriculum that includes implicit bias in the practice of physician assistants.
(d)In order to satisfy the requirements of subdivision (a), continuing education courses shall address at least one or a combination of the following:
(1)Examples of how implicit bias affects perceptions and treatment decisions of physician assistants, leading to disparities in health outcomes.
(2)Strategies to address how unintended biases in decisionmaking may contribute to health care disparities by shaping behavior and producing differences in medical treatment along lines of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics.
(e)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
SEC. 3.5.Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:3524.5.(a)The board may require a licensee to complete continuing education as a condition of license renewal under Section 3523 or 3524. The board shall not require more than 50 hours of continuing education every two years. The board shall, as it deems appropriate, accept certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), or another qualified certifying body, as determined by the board, as evidence of compliance with continuing education requirements.
(b)(1)The board shall adopt regulations to require that, on and after January 1, 2022, all continuing education courses for licensees under this chapter contain curriculum that includes the understanding of implicit bias.
(2)Beginning January 1, 2023, continuing education providers shall ensure compliance with paragraph (1).
(3)Beginning January 1, 2023, the board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(c)Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (b), a continuing education course dedicated solely to research or other issues that does not include a direct patient care component is not required to contain curriculum that includes implicit bias in the practice of physician assistants.
(d)In order to satisfy the requirements of subdivision (a), continuing education courses shall address at least one or a combination of the following:
(1)Examples of how implicit bias affects perceptions and treatment decisions of physician assistants, leading to disparities in health outcomes.
(2)Strategies to address how unintended biases in decisionmaking may contribute to health care disparities by shaping behavior and producing differences in medical treatment along lines of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics.
(e)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental or physical health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
SEC. 4.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school or state-approved school that meets the requirements set forth in Section 4980.36 or 4980.37. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 4.1.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (e), (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(e)(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(f)(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school or state-approved school that meets the requirements set forth in Section 4980.36 or 4980.37. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(g)(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (f), (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(h)(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(i)(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(j)(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 4.2.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (e), (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(e)(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(f)(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school or state-approved school that meets the requirements set forth in Section 4980.36 or 4980.37. A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4980.03. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(g)(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (f), (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(h)(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(i)(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(j)(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 4.3.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (e), (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(e)(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(f)(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school or state-approved school that meets the requirements set forth in Section 4980.36 or 4980.37. A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4980.03. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(g)(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (f), (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(h)(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(i)(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(j)(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 5.Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4989.34.(a)To renew a license, a licensee shall certify to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, completion in the preceding two years of not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in, or relevant to, educational psychology.
(b)(1)The continuing education shall be obtained from either an accredited university or a continuing education provider as specified by the board by regulation.
(2)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education shall comply with procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(c)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(d)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of educational psychology in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(e)The board may audit the records of a licensee to verify completion of the continuing education requirement. A licensee shall maintain records of the completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon its request.
(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as determined by the board.
(g)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 5.5.Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4989.34.(a)To renew a license, a licensee shall certify to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, completion in the preceding two years of not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in, or relevant to, educational psychology.
(b)(1)The continuing education shall be obtained from either an accredited university or a continuing education provider as specified by the board by regulation.
(2)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education shall comply with procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(c)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(c)(d)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of educational psychology in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(d)(e)The board may audit the records of a licensee to verify completion of the continuing education requirement. A licensee shall maintain records of the completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon its request.
(e)(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as determined by the board.
(f)(g)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 6.Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.22.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of social work in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any license of an applicant who began graduate study before January 1, 2004, pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board that during the applicants first renewal period after the operative date of this section, the applicant completed a continuing education course in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies, including community resources, cultural factors, and same gender abuse dynamics. On and after January 1, 2005, the course shall consist of not less than seven hours of training. Equivalent courses in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies taken before the operative date of this section or proof of equivalent teaching or practice experience may be submitted to the board and at its discretion, may be accepted in satisfaction of this requirement. Continuing education courses taken pursuant to this paragraph shall be applied to the 36 hours of approved continuing education required under paragraph (1).
(3)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)in In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause as defined by the board.
(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school of social work, as defined in Section 4991.2, or a school or department of social work that is a candidate for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)A school, college, or university accredited by a regional or national institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education or a school, college, or university that is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
(3)Another continuing education provider, as specified by the board by regulation.
(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (e), shall adhere to the procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(2)Aspects of the social work discipline in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other related disciplines that enhance the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(h)A system of continuing education for licensed clinical social workers shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
(j)The board may adopt regulations as necessary to implement this section.
SEC. 6.5.Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.22.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (c), (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of social work in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any license of an applicant who began graduate study before January 1, 2004, pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board that during the applicants first renewal period after the operative date of this section, the applicant completed a continuing education course in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies, including community resources, cultural factors, and same gender abuse dynamics. On and after January 1, 2005, the course shall consist of not less than seven hours of training. Equivalent courses in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies taken before the operative date of this section or proof of equivalent teaching or practice experience may be submitted to the board and at its discretion, may be accepted in satisfaction of this requirement. Continuing education courses taken pursuant to this paragraph shall be applied to the 36 hours of approved continuing education required under paragraph (1).
(3)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(b)(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(c)(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause as defined by the board.
(d)(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school of social work, as defined in Section 4991.2, or a school or department of social work that is a candidate for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)A school, college, or university accredited by a regional or national institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education or a school, college, or university that is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
(3)Another continuing education provider, as specified by the board by regulation.
(e)(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (d), (e), shall adhere to the procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(f)(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(2)Aspects of the social work discipline in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other related disciplines that enhance the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(g)(h)A system of continuing education for licensed clinical social workers shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(h)(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
(i)(j)The board may adopt regulations as necessary to implement this section.
SEC. 7.Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.76.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of professional clinical counseling in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completed continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4999.12. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers as specified by the board by regulation.
(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (e), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(2)Significant recent developments in the discipline of professional clinical counseling.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(h)A system of continuing education for licensed professional clinical counselors shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall fully comply with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 7.5.Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.76.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (c), (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of professional clinical counseling in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)(1)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in menopausal mental health.
(2)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(b)(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completed continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(c)(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(d)(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4999.12. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers as specified by the board by regulation.
(e)(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (d), (e), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(f)(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(2)Significant recent developments in the discipline of professional clinical counseling.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(g)(h)A system of continuing education for licensed professional clinical counselors shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(h)(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall fully comply with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 8.(a)Section 1.1 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and AB 2270. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) SB 639 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after AB 2270, in which case Sections 1, 1.2, and 1.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(b)Section 1.2 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and SB 639. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) AB 2270 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after SB 639, in which case Sections 1, 1.1, and 1.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(c)Section 1.3 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by this bill, AB 2270, and SB 639. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) all three bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) all three bills amend Section 2811.5 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after AB 2270 and SB 639, in which case Sections 1, 1.1, and 1.2 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 9.Section 3.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2270. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2270, in which case Section 3 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 10.(a)Section 4.1 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2270. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) Senate Bill 1526 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2270, in which case Sections 4, 4.2, and 4.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(b)Section 4.2 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 1526. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code, (3) Assembly Bill 2270 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1526 in which case Sections 4, 4.1, and 4.3 of this bill shall not become operative.
(c)Section 4.3 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by this bill, Assembly Bill 2270, and Senate Bill 1526. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) all three bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) all three bills amend Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2270 and Senate Bill 1526, in which case Sections 4, 4.1, and 4.2 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 11.Section 5.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2270. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2270, in which case Section 5 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 12.Section 6.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2270. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2270, in which case Section 6 of this bill shall not become operative.
SEC. 13.Section 7.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2270. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2025, (2) each bill amends Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2270, in which case Section 7 of this bill shall not become operative.
(a)Each person renewing their license under Section 2811 shall submit proof satisfactory to the board that, during the preceding two-year period, they have been informed of the developments in the registered nurse field or in any special area of practice engaged in by the licensee, occurring since the last renewal thereof, either by pursuing a course or courses of continuing education in the registered nurse field or relevant to the practice of the licensee, and approved by the board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the board.
(b)Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the board, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, shall do the following:
(1)By January 1, 2019, deliver a report to the appropriate legislative policy committees detailing a comprehensive plan for approving and disapproving continuing education opportunities.
(2)By January 1, 2020, report to the appropriate legislative committees on its progress implementing this plan.
(c)For purposes of this section, the board shall, by regulation, establish standards for continuing education. The standards shall be established in a manner to ensure that a variety of alternative forms of continuing education are available to licensees, including, but not limited to, online, academic studies, in-service education, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, and home study programs. The standards shall take cognizance of specialized areas of practice, and content shall be relevant to the practice of nursing and shall be related to the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing or be related to direct or indirect patient or client care. The continuing education standards established by the board shall not exceed 30 hours of direct participation in a course or courses approved by the board, or its equivalent in the units of measure adopted by the board.
(d)The board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(e)The board shall encourage continuing education in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. In the event the board establishes a requirement for continuing education coursework in spousal or partner abuse detection or treatment, that requirement shall be met by each licensee within no more than four years from the date the requirement is imposed.
(f)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in the special care needs of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1)Pain and symptom management, including palliative care.
(2)The psychosocial dynamics of death.
(3)Dying and bereavement.
(4)Hospice care.
(g)In establishing standards for continuing education, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(g)(h)This section shall not apply to licensees during the first two years immediately following their initial licensure in California or any other governmental jurisdiction, except that, beginning January 1, 2023, those licensees shall complete one hour of direct participation in an implicit bias course offered by a continuing education provider approved by the board that meets all the same requirements outlined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 2786, including, but not limited to, the identification of the licensees previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation and corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels, including ongoing policies and practices for that purpose.
(h)(i)The board may, in accordance with the intent of this section, make exceptions from continuing education requirements for licensees residing in another state or country, or for reasons of health, military service, or other good cause.
SEC. 2.Section 2914.4 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:2914.4.In determining its continuing professional development, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
SEC. 3.Section 3524.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:3524.5.(a)The board may require a licensee to complete continuing education as a condition of license renewal under Section 3523 or 3524. The board shall not require more than 50 hours of continuing education every two years. The board shall, as it deems appropriate, accept certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), or another qualified certifying body, as determined by the board, as evidence of compliance with continuing education requirements.
(b)(1)The board shall adopt regulations to require that, on and after January 1, 2022, all continuing education courses for licensees under this chapter contain curriculum that includes the understanding of implicit bias.
(2)Beginning January 1, 2023, continuing education providers shall ensure compliance with paragraph (1).
(3)Beginning January 1, 2023, the board shall audit continuing education providers at least once every five years to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, and shall withhold or rescind approval from any provider that is in violation of the regulatory requirements.
(c)Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (b), a continuing education course dedicated solely to research or other issues that does not include a direct patient care component is not required to contain curriculum that includes implicit bias in the practice of physician assistants.
(d)In order to satisfy the requirements of subdivision (a), continuing education courses shall address at least one or a combination of the following:
(1)Examples of how implicit bias affects perceptions and treatment decisions of physician assistants, leading to disparities in health outcomes.
(2)Strategies to address how unintended biases in decisionmaking may contribute to health care disparities by shaping behavior and producing differences in medical treatment along lines of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, or other characteristics.
(e)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
SEC. 4.Section 4980.54 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4980.54.(a)The Legislature recognizes that the education and experience requirements in this chapter constitute only minimal requirements to ensure that an applicant is prepared and qualified to take the licensure examinations as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40 and, if an applicant passes those examinations, to begin practice.
(b)In order to continuously improve the competence of licensed and registered marriage and family therapists and as a model for all psychotherapeutic professions, the Legislature encourages all licensees and registrants to regularly engage in continuing education related to the profession or scope of practice as defined in this chapter.
(c)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (e), (f), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of marriage and family therapy in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education on the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(d)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(e)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(e)(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(f)(g)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school or state-approved school that meets the requirements set forth in Section 4980.36 or 4980.37. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers, as specified by the board by regulation.
(g)(h)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (f), (g), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(h)(i)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of marriage and family therapy in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of marriage and family therapy.
(i)(j)A system of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(j)(k)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 5.Section 4989.34 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4989.34.(a)To renew a license, a licensee shall certify to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, completion in the preceding two years of not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in, or relevant to, educational psychology.
(b)(1)The continuing education shall be obtained from either an accredited university or a continuing education provider as specified by the board by regulation.
(2)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education shall comply with procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(c)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(c)(d)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(2)Aspects of the discipline of educational psychology in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of educational psychology.
(d)(e)The board may audit the records of a licensee to verify completion of the continuing education requirement. A licensee shall maintain records of the completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon its request.
(e)(f)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirements of this section for good cause, as determined by the board.
(f)(g)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SEC. 6.Section 4996.22 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4996.22.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (c), (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of social work in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any license of an applicant who began graduate study before January 1, 2004, pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board that during the applicants first renewal period after the operative date of this section, the applicant completed a continuing education course in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies, including community resources, cultural factors, and same gender abuse dynamics. On and after January 1, 2005, the course shall consist of not less than seven hours of training. Equivalent courses in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies taken before the operative date of this section or proof of equivalent teaching or practice experience may be submitted to the board and at its discretion, may be accepted in satisfaction of this requirement. Continuing education courses taken pursuant to this paragraph shall be applied to the 36 hours of approved continuing education required under paragraph (1).
(3)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)in determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(b)(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completion of required continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(c)(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause as defined by the board.
(d)(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)An accredited school of social work, as defined in Section 4991.2, or a school or department of social work that is a candidate for accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)A school, college, or university accredited by a regional or national institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education or a school, college, or university that is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
(3)Another continuing education provider, as specified by the board by regulation.
(e)(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (d), (e), shall adhere to the procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(f)(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(2)Aspects of the social work discipline in which significant recent developments have occurred.
(3)Aspects of other related disciplines that enhance the understanding, or the practice, of social work.
(g)(h)A system of continuing education for licensed clinical social workers shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(h)(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall comply fully with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
(i)(j)The board may adopt regulations as necessary to implement this section.
SEC. 7.Section 4999.76 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:4999.76.(a)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (c), (d), the board shall not renew any license pursuant to this chapter unless the applicant certifies to the board, on a form prescribed by the board, that the applicant has completed not less than 36 hours of approved continuing education in or relevant to the field of professional clinical counseling in the preceding two years, as determined by the board.
(2)The board shall not renew any registration pursuant to this chapter unless the registrant certifies under penalty of perjury to the board, and on a form prescribed by the board, that they have completed not less than three hours of continuing education in the subject of California law and ethics during the preceding year.
(b)In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.
(b)(c)The board shall have the right to audit the records of any applicant to verify the completion of the continuing education requirement. Applicants shall maintain records of completed continuing education coursework for a minimum of two years and shall make these records available to the board for auditing purposes upon request.
(c)(d)The board may establish exceptions from the continuing education requirement of this section for good cause, as defined by the board.
(d)(e)The continuing education shall be obtained from one of the following sources:
(1)A school, college, or university that is accredited or approved, as defined in Section 4999.12. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as requiring coursework to be offered as part of a regular degree program.
(2)Other continuing education providers as specified by the board by regulation.
(e)(f)The board shall establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of continuing education courses, and all providers of continuing education, as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (d), (e), shall adhere to procedures established by the board. The board may revoke or deny the right of a provider to offer continuing education coursework pursuant to this section for failure to comply with this section or any regulation adopted pursuant to this section.
(f)(g)Training, education, and coursework by approved providers shall incorporate one or more of the following:
(1)Aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(2)Significant recent developments in the discipline of professional clinical counseling.
(3)Aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of professional clinical counseling.
(g)(h)A system of continuing education for licensed professional clinical counselors shall include courses directly related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of the client population being served.
(h)(i)The continuing education requirements of this section shall fully comply with the guidelines for mandatory continuing education established by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Section 166.
SECTION 1.Section 2191.3 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:2191.3.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on maternal mental health to satisfy continuing education requirements.SEC. 2.Section 2811.7 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:2811.7.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on maternal mental health to satisfy continuing education requirements.SEC. 3.Section 2914.4 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:2914.4. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on maternal mentalhealth to satisfy continuing education requirements.SEC. 4.Section 3524.6 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:3524.6.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on maternal mental health to satisfy continuing education requirements.SEC. 5.Section 4980.56 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:4980.56.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on maternal mental health to satisfy continuing education requirements.SEC. 6.Section 4989.35 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:4989.35.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on maternal mental health to satisfy continuing education requirements.SEC. 7.Section 4996.29 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:4996.29.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on maternal mental health to satisfy continuing education requirements.SEC. 8.Section 4999.77 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:4999.77.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on maternal mental health to satisfy continuing education requirements.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on maternal mental health to satisfy continuing education requirements.
SEC. 2.Section 2811.7 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:2811.7.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on maternal mental health to satisfy continuing education requirements.
SEC. 3.Section 2914.4 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:2914.4.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on maternal mental health to satisfy continuing education requirements.
SEC. 4.Section 3524.6 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:3524.6.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on maternal mental health to satisfy continuing education requirements.
SEC. 5.Section 4980.56 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:4980.56.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on maternal mental health to satisfy continuing education requirements.
SEC. 6.Section 4989.35 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:4989.35.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on maternal mental health to satisfy continuing education requirements.
SEC. 7.Section 4996.29 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:4996.29.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on maternal mental health to satisfy continuing education requirements.
SEC. 8.Section 4999.77 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:4999.77.Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on maternal mental health to satisfy continuing education requirements.
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Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Sep 28, 2024 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 836, Statutes of 2024. |
| Sep 28, 2024 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Sep 3, 2024 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m. |
| Aug 26, 2024 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 6570.). |
| Aug 21, 2024 | In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. May be considered on or after August 23 pursuant to Assembly Rule 77. |
| Aug 21, 2024 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 33. Noes 0. Page 5266.). |
| Aug 15, 2024 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Aug 14, 2024 | Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading. |
| Jun 18, 2024 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Jun 17, 2024 | From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8. |
| Jun 3, 2024 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 3). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| May 15, 2024 | Referred to Com. on B., P. & E. D. |
| May 2, 2024 | In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. |
| May 2, 2024 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 73. Noes 0. Page 5089.) |
| Apr 25, 2024 | Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar. |
| Apr 24, 2024 | From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (April 24). |
| Apr 11, 2024 | Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Apr 10, 2024 | Read second time and amended. |
| Apr 9, 2024 | From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 18. Noes 0.) (April 9). |
| Mar 4, 2024 | Referred to Com. on B. & P. |
| Feb 15, 2024 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 16. |
| Feb 14, 2024 | Read first time. To print. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 26, 2024 | AB 2581 Maienschein Concurrence in Senate Amendments | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Aug 21, 2024 | Assembly 3rd Reading AB2581 Maienschein et al. By Limón | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Jun 3, 2024 | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | Senate Standing Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development |
Passed |
|
| May 2, 2024 | AB 2581 Maienschein Consent Calendar Second Day Regular Session | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Apr 24, 2024 | Do pass. To Consent Calendar. | Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Apr 9, 2024 | Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | Assembly Standing Committee on Business and Professions |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
|
Organization
|
Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| American College Of Obstetricians And Gynecologists District Ix | ** Support | |
| California Board of Psychology | ** Support | |
| Neighbors of the 40th Assembly District for Sane Legislation | ** Support | Apr 9, 2024 |
| Planned Parenthood Affiliates Of California | * Support | Jun 3, 2024 |
| San Fernando Valley Alliance | * Support | Jun 3, 2024 |
| The California Children's Trust | ** Support |
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
CSA1 Bill Id:AB 2581
Author:(Maienschein)
As Amended Ver:August 14, 2024
Majority vote
SUMMARY
Requires the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), Board of Psychology (BOP), Physician Assistants Board (PAB), and the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), in establishing standards for continuing education (CE), to consider including a course in maternal mental health (MMH).
Senate Amendments
Address chaptering conflicts.
COMMENTS
Continuing Education for Registered Nurses. All nurses under the BRN are required by statute to complete 30 hours of CE during each two-year renewal cycle to ensure continued competence. Courses must be related to either the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing, or to direct or indirect patient care. Courses approved by appropriate state, regional and national health professional associations as well as other professional health and licensing boards in and out of California can be acceptable, so long as the content meets the BRN's requirements.
Continuing Professional Development (CDP) for Psychologists. Psychologists under the BOP are required to complete at least 36 hours of approved CDP every two years as a condition of license renewal. Acceptable CDP activities include professional activities (e.g. peer consultation, exam development, and attendance at a BOP meeting), academic activities (e.g. graduate level coursework and authoring publications), board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology, and sponsored CE. The BOP accepts up to 27 hours of sponsored CE each renewal period and requires courses to be approved by the American Psychological Association, California Psychological Association, Association of Black Psychologists, California Medical Association, or the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.
Continuing Medical Education (CME) for Physician Assistants. Physician assistants are required to complete 50 hours of CME every two years as a condition of license renewal. CE requirements may be deemed satisfied if the physician assistant is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants at the time of renewal. CME courses must be Category I (Preapproved) by the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association Council on Continuing Medical Education, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), or a state medical society recognized by the ACCME.
Continuing Education for Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Educational Psychologists, and Professional Clinical Counselors. The BBS requires licensees to complete 36 hours of CE, including 6 hours of law and ethics, every two-year license renewal period. LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs are also required to take one-time courses on suicide risk assessment and intervention, and telehealth as a condition of license renewal. Newly licensed LMFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCs are required to complete CE on HIV/AIDs prior to their first license renewal. Similarly, newly licensed LEPs are required to take CE related to child abuse assessment and reporting and alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency if not completed prior to initial licensure. CE must be taken from a BBS-accepted provider, such as an accredited university or an organization or association that is recognized by the BSS as a CE provider.
Maternal Mental Health. According to the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, 20% of pregnant people are affected by mental health conditions, ranging from the "baby blues" to more serious conditions such as depression, substance use disorder, post-traumatic stress disorders, bipolar disorder, and psychosis. Of those experiencing MMH conditions, 75% go untreated, increasing the likelihood of pregnant people having poor prenatal care, abusing substances, and experiencing physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Postpartum, birthing people are more likely to question their competency as a parent, experience breastfeeding challenges, be less responsive to their baby, and have fewer positive outcome with their baby. Notably, suicide and overdose are the leading cause of maternal deaths. Babies born to parents with untreated MMH conditions have a higher risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, excessive crying, developmental delays, and adverse childhood experiences. The risk of stillbirth is also greater. Untreated MMH conditions are estimated to cost $14 billion in the U.S. annually.
In 2019, AB 845 (Maienschein), Chapter 220, Statutes of 2019 required the MBC to consider including MMH in its CME requirements for physician and surgeons. This bill would additionally require the BRN, BOP, PAB, and BBS to consider requiring CE related to MMH.
According to the Author
"In 2019, maternal mental health conditions became the primary cause of pregnancy-related deaths. Training perinatal nurses and providers in maternal mental health is crucial for effective patient support. Understanding women's health factors and addressing pregnancy risks is essential across healthcare disciplines. This bill expands education to include maternal mental health courses for various medical professionals, enhancing their ability to treat patients effectively."
Arguments in Support
The Board of Psychology writes in support:
This bill would add Business and Professions Code 2914.4 to allow the Board to consider including a course in maternal mental health when determining the continuing professional development, which is required for licensure renewal. By considering a course in the topic of maternal mental health, the Board believes this will grant licensees the option to be further experienced in treating clients during pregnancy and postpartum and improve client care.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists District IX writes in support:
Perinatal depression, which includes major and minor depressive episodes that occur during pregnancy or in the first 12 months after delivery, is one of the most common medical complications during pregnancy and the postpartum period, affecting one in seven women. It is important to identify pregnant and postpartum women with depression because untreated perinatal depression and other mood disorders can have devastating effects. There is evidence that screening alone can have clinical benefits, although initiation of treatment or referral to mental health care providers offers maximum benefit. Therefore, it is beneficial for all providers who may be providing care during the perinatal period to be trained in the knowledge and skills necessary to support their patients effectively.
Arguments in Opposition
No opposition on file.
FISCAL COMMENTS
Pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, no significant state costs anticipated.
VOTES:
ASM BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS: 18-0-0
YES: Berman, Flora, Alanis, Bains, Juan Carrillo, Chen, Dixon, Grayson, Irwin, Jackson, Low, Lowenthal, McKinnor, Stephanie Nguyen, Pellerin, Sanchez, Soria, Zbur
ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 14-0-1
YES: Wicks, Sanchez, Arambula, Bryan, Calderon, Wendy Carrillo, Dixon, Mike Fong, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Jim Patterson, Pellerin, Ta
ABS, ABST OR NV: Villapudua
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 73-0-7
YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur
ABS, ABST OR NV: Calderon, Megan Dahle, Flora, Low, Mathis, Weber, Robert Rivas
SENATE FLOOR: 33-0-7
YES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Blakespear, Caballero, Cortese, Dahle, Dodd, Durazo, Eggman, Glazer, Gonzalez, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, Min, Newman, Nguyen, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto, Stern, Umberg, Wiener, Wilk
ABS, ABST OR NV: Atkins, Becker, Bradford, Menjivar, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, Wahab
UPDATED
VERSION: August 14, 2024
CONSULTANT: Kaitlin Curry / B. & P. / (916) 319-3301 FN: 0004374
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | AB 2581 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 2581
Author: Maienschein (D), et al.
Amended: 8/14/24 in Senate
Vote: 21
SENATE BUS., PROF. & ECON. DEV. COMMITTEE: 13-0, 6/3/24
AYES: Ashby, Nguyen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Becker, Dodd, Eggman, Glazer, Menjivar, Niello, Roth, Smallwood-Cuevas, Wilk
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 73-0, 5/2/24 (Consent) - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Healing arts: continuing education: maternal mental health
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST:
This bill requires various health professional licensing boards to consider including a course in maternal mental health to standards and requirements for licensee continuing education (CE).
Senate Floor Amendments of 8/14/24 resolve chaptering conflicts with AB 2270 (Maienschein), SB 639 (Limón), and SB 1526 (Committee on Business, Professions, and Economic Development).
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Establishes various practice acts in the Business and Professions Code (BPC) governed by various boards within the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) which provide for the licensing and regulation of health care professionals including nurses (under the Nursing Practice Act by the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), physician assistants (PAs) (under the Physician Assistant Practice Ace by the Physician Assistant Board (PAB)), marriage and family therapists (MFTs) (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) (under the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act by BBS), licensed educational psychologists (LEPs) (under the Educational Psychologist Act by BBS), licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCCs) (under the LPCC Act by BBS), and psychologists (under the Psychology Law by the Board of Psychology (BOP)), among others.
- Requires the BRN to, by regulation, establish standards for CE, as specified. (BPC § 2811.5(c))
- Requires registered nurses to complete 30 hours of CE approved by the BRN every two years as a condition of license renewal. (California Code of Regulations, Title 16, § 1451)
- In establishing standards for CE, requires the BRN to consider including a course in the special needs care of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to: pain and symptom management; the psychosocial dynamics of death; dying and bereavement; and hospice care. (BPD § 2811.5(f)
- Requires the BRN to adopt regulations requiring all CE courses to contain curriculum related to implicit bias. (BPC § 2736.5)
- Requires the BRN to encourage CE in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. (BPC § 2811.5(e))
- Requires licensed psychologists to complete 36 hours of approved continuing professional development (CPD), as specified, every two years as a condition of license renewal. (BPC § 2915(a))
- Requires the BOP to encourage every licensed psychologist to take CPD in geriatric pharmacology. (BPC § 2914.1)
- Requires the BOP to encourage licensed psychologists to take CPD in psychopharmacology and biological basis of behavior. (BPC § 2914.2)
- Authorizes the PAB to require a licensee to complete CE as a condition of license renewal, but not more than 50 hours every two years. (BPC § 3524.5(a))
- Requires the PAB to adopt regulations that require all CE courses to contain curriculum related to implicit bias. (BPC § 3524.5(b))
- Requires specified PAs to complete, as part of their CE requirements, a course that covers Schedule II controlled substances and the risks of addiction associated with their use. (BPC § 3502.1(e)(3))
- Requires licensees, as a condition of license renewal, to certify to the BBS that they have completed 36 hours of approved CE in or relevant to their field of practice in the past two years. (BPC § 4980.54(c), 4989.34(a), 4996.22(a), 4996.6(b)(3), 4999.76(a)(1))
- Requires that 6 hours of the required 36 hours of CE taken in a renewal period be in the subject of law and ethics. (California Code of Regulations, Title 16, § 1887.3(c))
- Requires BBS continuing training, education, and coursework to be from approved providers and must incorporate one or more of the following: aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of the profession for which the individual is licensed; aspects of the discipline in which significant recent developments have occurred; or aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of the profession for which the individual is licensed. (BPC § 4980.54(h), 4989.34(c), 4996.22(f), and 4999.76(f))
- Requires the BBS to establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of CE courses for LMFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs, and requires all CE providers to adhere to procedures established by the BBS. (BPC §§ 4980.54(g), 4996.22(e), 4999.76(e))
This bill requires BRN, BOP, PAB, and BBS to consider including a course in maternal mental health to standards and requirements for licensee continuing education.
Background
Continuing Education for Registered Nurses. All nurses licensed by BRN are required to complete 30 hours of CE during each two-year renewal cycle to ensure continued competence. Courses must be related to either the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing, or to direct or indirect patient care. Courses approved by appropriate state, regional and national health professional associations as well as other professional health and licensing boards in and out of California can be acceptable, so long as the content meets the BRN's requirements.
Continuing Professional Development for Psychologists. Psychologists are required to complete at least 36 hours of approved CDP every two years as a condition of license renewal. Acceptable CDP activities include professional activities (e.g. peer consultation, exam development, and attendance at a BOP meeting), academic activities (e.g. graduate level coursework and authoring publications), board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology, and sponsored CE. The BOP accepts up to 27 hours of sponsored CE each renewal period and requires courses to be approved by the American Psychological Association, California Psychological Association, Association of Black Psychologists, California Medical Association, or the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.
Continuing Medical Education for Physician Assistants. Physician assistants are required to complete 50 hours of CME every two years as a condition of license renewal. Continuing education requirements may be deemed satisfied if the physician assistant is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants at the time of renewal. CME courses must be Category I (Preapproved) by the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association Council on Continuing Medical Education, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), or a state medical society recognized by the ACCME.
Continuing Education for Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Educational Psychologists, and Professional Clinical Counselors. The BBS requires licensees to complete 36 hours of CE, including 6 hours of Law and Ethics every two-year license renewal period. LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs are also required to take one-time courses on suicide risk assessment and intervention, and telehealth as a condition of license renewal. Newly licensed LMFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCs are required to complete CE on HIV/AIDs prior to their first license renewal. Similarly, newly licensed LEPs are required to take CE related to child abuse assessment and reporting and alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency if not completed prior to initial licensure. CE must be taken from a BBS-accepted provider, such as an accredited university or an organization or association that is recognized by the BSS as a CE provider.
Maternal Mental Health. According to the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, 20 percent of pregnant people are affected by mental health conditions, ranging from the “baby blues” to more serious conditions such as depression, substance use disorder, post-traumatic stress disorders, bipolar disorder, and psychosis. Of those experiencing maternal mental health (MMH) conditions, 75 percent go untreated, increasing the likelihood of pregnant people having poor prenatal care, abusing substances, and experiencing sexual physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Postpartum, birthing people are more likely to question their competency as a parent, experience breastfeeding challenges, be less responsive to their baby, and have fewer positive outcome with their baby. Notably, suicide and overdose are the leading cause of maternal deaths. Babies born to parents with untreated MMH conditions have a higher risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, excessive crying, developmental delays, and adverse childhood experiences. The risk of stillbirth is also greater. Untreated MMH conditions are estimated to cost $14 billion in the U.S. annually.
Comments
The California Chapter of Postpartum Support International, Maternal Mental Health NOW, and San Diego Postpartum Health Alliance note that “While we are in support of AB 2581, we recommend strengthening the bill by replacing ‘maternal’ with ‘perinatal and ‘consider’ with ‘require’. The Board of Behavioral Sciences is not recognizing the consumer safety concerns connected with missed or misdiagnosis of perinatal mental health and licensed providers are not trained to recognize the unique components of postpartum anxiety, postpartum OCD, how to differentiate between postpartum OCD, postpartum bipolar disorder and postpartum psychosis, nor the difference between baby blues and postpartum depression.”
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists District IX
California Board of Psychology
The California Children's Trust
OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/13/24)
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists District IX notes that “Perinatal depression, which includes major and minor depressive episodes that occur during pregnancy or in the first 12 months after delivery, is one of the most common medical complications during pregnancy and the postpartum period, affecting one in seven women. It is important to identify pregnant and postpartum women with depression because untreated perinatal depression and other mood disorders can have devastating effects. There is evidence that screening alone can have clinical benefits, although initiation of treatment or referral to mental health care providers offers maximum benefit. Therefore, it is beneficial for all providers who may be providing care during the perinatal period to be trained in the knowledge and skills necessary to support their patients effectively.”
The California Board of Psychology writes that “By considering a course in the topic of maternal mental health, the Board believes this will grant licensees the option to be further experienced in treating clients during pregnancy and postpartum and improve client care.”
According to the California Children’s Trust, “There is a well-documented crisis in maternal mental health…AB 2581 will address these challenges by potentially increasing health workers’ awareness and expertise around maternal mental health.”
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 73-0, 5/2/24
AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur
NO VOTE RECORDED: Calderon, Megan Dahle, Flora, Low, Mathis, Weber, Robert Rivas
Prepared by: Sarah Mason / B., P. & E.D. /
8/16/24 12:47:38
**** END ****
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | AB 2581 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 2581
Author: Maienschein (D), et al.
Amended: 4/10/24 in Assembly
Vote: 21
SENATE BUS., PROF. & ECON. DEV. COMMITTEE: 13-0, 6/3/24
AYES: Ashby, Nguyen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Becker, Dodd, Eggman, Glazer, Menjivar, Niello, Roth, Smallwood-Cuevas, Wilk
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 73-0, 5/2/24 (Consent) - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Healing arts: continuing education: maternal mental health
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST:
This bill requires various health professional licensing boards to consider including a course in maternal mental health to standards and requirements for licensee continuing education (CE).
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Establishes various practice acts in the Business and Professions Code (BPC) governed by various boards within the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) which provide for the licensing and regulation of health care professionals including nurses (under the Nursing Practice Act by the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), physician assistants (PAs) (under the Physician Assistant Practice Ace by the Physician Assistant Board (PAB)), marriage and family therapists (MFTs) (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) (under the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act by BBS), licensed educational psychologists (LEPs) (under the Educational Psychologist Act by BBS), licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCCs) (under the LPCC Act by BBS), and psychologists (under the Psychology Law by the Board of Psychology (BOP)), among others.
- Requires the BRN to, by regulation, establish standards for CE, as specified. (BPC § 2811.5(c))
- Requires registered nurses to complete 30 hours of CE approved by the BRN every two years as a condition of license renewal. (California Code of Regulations, Title 16, § 1451)
- In establishing standards for CE, requires the BRN to consider including a course in the special needs care of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to: pain and symptom management; the psychosocial dynamics of death; dying and bereavement; and hospice care. (BPD § 2811.5(f)
- Requires the BRN to adopt regulations requiring all CE courses to contain curriculum related to implicit bias. (BPC § 2736.5)
- Requires the BRN to encourage CE in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. (BPC § 2811.5(e))
- Requires licensed psychologists to complete 36 hours of approved continuing professional development (CPD), as specified, every two years as a condition of license renewal. (BPC § 2915(a))
- Requires the BOP to encourage every licensed psychologist to take CPD in geriatric pharmacology. (BPC § 2914.1)
- Requires the BOP to encourage licensed psychologists to take CPD in psychopharmacology and biological basis of behavior. (BPC § 2914.2)
- Authorizes the PAB to require a licensee to complete CE as a condition of license renewal, but not more than 50 hours every two years. (BPC § 3524.5(a))
- Requires the PAB to adopt regulations that require all CE courses to contain curriculum related to implicit bias. (BPC § 3524.5(b))
- Requires specified PAs to complete, as part of their CE requirements, a course that covers Schedule II controlled substances and the risks of addiction associated with their use. (BPC § 3502.1(e)(3))
- Requires licensees, as a condition of license renewal, to certify to the BBS that they have completed 36 hours of approved CE in or relevant to their field of practice in the past two years. (BPC § 4980.54(c), 4989.34(a), 4996.22(a), 4996.6(b)(3), 4999.76(a)(1))
- Requires that 6 hours of the required 36 hours of CE taken in a renewal period be in the subject of law and ethics. (California Code of Regulations, Title 16, § 1887.3(c))
- Requires BBS continuing training, education, and coursework to be from approved providers and must incorporate one or more of the following: aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of the profession for which the individual is licensed; aspects of the discipline in which significant recent developments have occurred; or aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of the profession for which the individual is licensed. (BPC § 4980.54(h), 4989.34(c), 4996.22(f), and 4999.76(f))
- Requires the BBS to establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of CE courses for LMFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs, and requires all CE providers to adhere to procedures established by the BBS. (BPC §§ 4980.54(g), 4996.22(e), 4999.76(e))
This bill requires BRN, BOP, PAB, and BBS to consider including a course in maternal mental health to standards and requirements for licensee continuing education.
Background
- Continuing Education for Registered Nurses. All nurses licensed by BRN are required to complete 30 hours of CE during each two-year renewal cycle to ensure continued competence. Courses must be related to either the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing, or to direct or indirect patient care. Courses approved by appropriate state, regional and national health professional associations as well as other professional health and licensing boards in and out of California can be acceptable, so long as the content meets the BRN's requirements.
- Continuing Professional Development for Psychologists. Psychologists are required to complete at least 36 hours of approved CDP every two years as a condition of license renewal. Acceptable CDP activities include professional activities (e.g. peer consultation, exam development, and attendance at a BOP meeting), academic activities (e.g. graduate level coursework and authoring publications), board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology, and sponsored CE. The BOP accepts up to 27 hours of sponsored CE each renewal period and requires courses to be approved by the American Psychological Association, California Psychological Association, Association of Black Psychologists, California Medical Association, or the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.
- Continuing Medical Education for Physician Assistants. Physician assistants are required to complete 50 hours of CME every two years as a condition of license renewal. Continuing education requirements may be deemed satisfied if the physician assistant is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants at the time of renewal. CME courses must be Category I (Preapproved) by the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association Council on Continuing Medical Education, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), or a state medical society recognized by the ACCME.
- Continuing Education for Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Educational Psychologists, and Professional Clinical Counselors. The BBS requires licensees to complete 36 hours of CE, including 6 hours of Law and Ethics every two-year license renewal period. LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs are also required to take one-time courses on suicide risk assessment and intervention, and telehealth as a condition of license renewal. Newly licensed LMFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCs are required to complete CE on HIV/AIDs prior to their first license renewal. Similarly, newly licensed LEPs are required to take CE related to child abuse assessment and reporting and alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency if not completed prior to initial licensure. CE must be taken from a BBS-accepted provider, such as an accredited university or an organization or association that is recognized by the BSS as a CE provider.
- Maternal Mental Health. According to the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, 20 percent of pregnant people are affected by mental health conditions, ranging from the “baby blues” to more serious conditions such as depression, substance use disorder, post-traumatic stress disorders, bipolar disorder, and psychosis. Of those experiencing maternal mental health (MMH) conditions, 75 percent go untreated, increasing the likelihood of pregnant people having poor prenatal care, abusing substances, and experiencing sexual physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Postpartum, birthing people are more likely to question their competency as a parent, experience breastfeeding challenges, be less responsive to their baby, and have fewer positive outcome with their baby. Notably, suicide and overdose are the leading cause of maternal deaths. Babies born to parents with untreated MMH conditions have a higher risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, excessive crying, developmental delays, and adverse childhood experiences. The risk of stillbirth is also greater. Untreated MMH conditions are estimated to cost $14 billion in the U.S. annually.
Comments
The California Chapter of Postpartum Support International notes that “While we are in support of AB 2581, we recommend strengthening the bill by replacing
‘maternal’ with ‘perinatal and ‘consider’ with ‘require’. The Board of Behavioral Sciences is not recognizing the consumer safety concerns connected with missed or misdiagnosis of perinatal mental health and licensed providers are not trained to recognize the unique components of postpartum anxiety, postpartum OCD, how to differentiate between postpartum OCD, postpartum bipolar disorder and postpartum psychosis, nor the difference between baby blues and postpartum depression.”
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No
SUPPORT: (Verified 6/18/24)
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists District IX
California Board of Psychology
The California Children's Trust
OPPOSITION: (Verified 6/18/24)
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists District IX notes that “Perinatal depression, which includes major and minor depressive episodes that occur during pregnancy or in the first 12 months after delivery, is one of the most common medical complications during pregnancy and the postpartum period, affecting one in seven women. It is important to identify pregnant and postpartum women with depression because untreated perinatal depression and other mood disorders can have devastating effects. There is evidence that screening alone can have clinical benefits, although initiation of treatment or referral to mental health care providers offers maximum benefit. Therefore, it is beneficial for all providers who may be providing care during the perinatal period to be trained in the knowledge and skills necessary to support their patients effectively.”
The California Board of Psychology writes that “By considering a course in the topic of maternal mental health, the Board believes this will grant licensees the option to be further experienced in treating clients during pregnancy and postpartum and improve client care.”
According to the California Children’s Trust, “There is a well-documented crisis in maternal mental health…AB 2581 will address these challenges by potentially increasing health workers’ awareness and expertise around maternal mental health.”
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 73-0, 5/2/24
AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur
NO VOTE RECORDED: Calderon, Megan Dahle, Flora, Low, Mathis, Weber, Robert Rivas
Prepared by: Sarah Mason / B., P. & E.D. /
6/18/24 15:49:21
**** END ****
SENATE COMMITTEE ON
BUSINESS, PROFESSIONS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Senator Angelique Ashby, Chair
2023 - 2024 Regular
Bill No: AB 2581 Hearing Date: June 3, 2024
Author: | Maienschein | ||
Version: |
| ||
Urgency: | Fiscal: | ||
Consultant: | |||
Subject: Healing arts: continuing education: maternal mental health
SUMMARY:
Requires various health professional licensing boards to consider including a course in maternal mental health to standards and requirements for licensee continuing education (CE).
Existing law:
- Establishes various practice acts in the Business and Professions Code (BPC) governed by various boards within the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) which provide for the licensing and regulation of health care professionals including nurses (under the Nursing Practice Act by the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), physician assistants (PAs) (under the Physician Assistant Practice Ace by the Physician Assistant Board (PAB)), marriage and family therapists (MFTs) (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) (under the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act by BBS), licensed educational psychologists (LEPs) (under the Educational Psychologist Act by BBS), licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCCs) (under the LPCC Act by BBS), and psychologists (under the Psychology Law by the Board of Psychology (BOP)), among others.
- Requires the BRN to, by regulation, establish standards for CE, as specified. (BPC § 2811.5(c))
- Requires registered nurses to complete 30 hours of CE approved by the BRN every two years as a condition of license renewal. (California Code of Regulations, Title 16, § 1451)
- In establishing standards for CE, requires the BRN to consider including a course in the special needs care of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to: pain and symptom management; the psychosocial dynamics of death; dying and bereavement; and hospice care. (BPD § 2811.5(f)
- Requires the BRN to adopt regulations requiring all CE courses to contain curriculum related to implicit bias. (BPC § 2736.5)
- Requires the BRN to encourage CE in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. (BPC § 2811.5(e))
- Requires licensed psychologists to complete 36 hours of approved continuing professional development (CPD), as specified, every two years as a condition of license renewal. (BPC § 2915(a))
- Requires the BOP to encourage every licensed psychologist to take CPD in geriatric pharmacology. (BPC § 2914.1)
- Requires the BOP to encourage licensed psychologists to take CPD in psychopharmacology and biological basis of behavior. (BPC § 2914.2)
- Authorizes the PAB to require a licensee to complete CE as a condition of license renewal, but not more than 50 hours every two years. (BPC § 3524.5(a))
- Requires the PAB to adopt regulations that require all CE courses to contain curriculum related to implicit bias. (BPC § 3524.5(b))
- Requires specified PAs to complete, as part of their CE requirements, a course that covers Schedule II controlled substances and the risks of addiction associated with their use. (BPC § 3502.1(e)(3))
- Requires licensees, as a condition of license renewal, to certify to the BBS that they have completed 36 hours of approved CE in or relevant to their field of practice in the past two years. (BPC § 4980.54(c), 4989.34(a), 4996.22(a), 4996.6(b)(3), 4999.76(a)(1))
- Requires that 6 hours of the required 36 hours of CE taken in a renewal period be in the subject of law and ethics. (California Code of Regulations, Title 16, § 1887.3(c))
- Requires BBS continuing training, education, and coursework to be from approved providers and must incorporate one or more of the following: aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of the profession for which the individual is licensed; aspects of the discipline in which significant recent developments have occurred; or aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of the profession for which the individual is licensed. (BPC § 4980.54(h), 4989.34(c), 4996.22(f), and 4999.76(f))
- Requires the BBS to establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of CE courses for LMFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs, and requires all CE providers to adhere to procedures established by the BBS. (BPC §§ 4980.54(g), 4996.22(e), 4999.76(e))
This bill requires BRN, BOP, PAB, and BBS to consider including a course in maternal mental health to standards and requirements for licensee continuing education.
FISCAL EFFECT:
This bill is keyed fiscal by Legislative Counsel. According to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations, the bill will result in minor and absorbable costs.
COMMENTS:
- Purpose. The Author is the Sponsor of this bill. According to the Author, the American Hospital Association reports that over 50% of pregnant individuals suffering from depression go untreated, significantly impacting both parent and child. In 2019, maternal mental health conditions emerged as the leading cause of pregnancy related deaths. The Author cites a 2023 study by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, noting that “perinatal mental health conditions affect more than one in five people. They can occur during pregnancy or within the first postpartum year, and they are inclusive of mental health conditions with an onset that predates pregnancy. Despite the availability of effective approaches for detection and treatment, perinatal mental health conditions are under-recognized and undertreated. Untreated and undertreated disease has significant deleterious short-term and long-term effects that can be mitigated with treatment, especially when initiated early. In addition to the significant mental health and quality-of-life effects on the perinatal individual, there is an increased risk of poor engagement in medical care, exacerbation of medical conditions, smoking, substance use disorders, and severe maternal morbidity and mortality. Mental health conditions are also associated with adverse obstetric, fetal, neonatal, and infant outcomes, including stillbirth, preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, and low birth weight, small for gestational age, impaired bonding, adverse infant neurodevelopment, and increased mental health concerns for the offspring in the long term. In fact, untreated perinatal mental health conditions in mothers are considered an adverse childhood experience (ACE) for offspring. The negative effects can extend beyond the mother-child dyad to families and employers and include negative economic consequences for individuals, families, and society, especially in the context of untreated illness.”
According to the Author, “empowering all perinatal nurses and providers with training in maternal mental health equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary to treat their patients effectively. It is imperative that all healthcare professionals, across disciplines, understand the factors influencing women's overall health and proactively identify and address potential pregnancy risks.”
- Background.
Continuing Education for Registered Nurses. All nurses licensed by BRN are required to complete 30 hours of CE during each two-year renewal cycle to ensure continued competence. Courses must be related to either the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing, or to direct or indirect patient care. Courses approved by appropriate state, regional and national health professional associations as well as other professional health and licensing boards in and out of California can be acceptable, so long as the content meets the BRN's requirements.
Continuing Professional Development for Psychologists. Psychologists are required to complete at least 36 hours of approved CDP every two years as a condition of license renewal. Acceptable CDP activities include professional activities (e.g. peer consultation, exam development, and attendance at a BOP meeting), academic activities (e.g. graduate level coursework and authoring publications), board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology, and sponsored CE. The BOP accepts up to 27 hours of sponsored CE each renewal period and requires courses to be approved by the American Psychological Association, California Psychological Association, Association of Black Psychologists, California Medical Association, or the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.
Continuing Medical Education for Physician Assistants. Physician assistants are required to complete 50 hours of CME every two years as a condition of license renewal. Continuing education requirements may be deemed satisfied if the physician assistant is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants at the time of renewal. CME courses must be Category I (Preapproved) by the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association Council on Continuing Medical Education, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), or a state medical society recognized by the ACCME.
Continuing Education for Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Educational Psychologists, and Professional Clinical Counselors. The BBS requires licensees to complete 36 hours of CE, including 6 hours of Law and Ethics every two-year license renewal period. LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs are also required to take one-time courses on suicide risk assessment and intervention, and telehealth as a condition of license renewal. Newly licensed LMFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCs are required to complete CE on HIV/AIDs prior to their first license renewal. Similarly, newly licensed LEPs are required to take CE related to child abuse assessment and reporting and alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency if not completed prior to initial licensure. CE must be taken from a BBS-accepted provider, such as an accredited university or an organization or association that is recognized by the BSS as a CE provider.
Maternal Mental Health. According to the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, 20 percent of pregnant people are affected by mental health conditions, ranging from the “baby blues” to more serious conditions such as depression, substance use disorder, post-traumatic stress disorders, bipolar disorder, and psychosis. Of those experiencing maternal mental health (MMH) conditions, 75 percent go untreated, increasing the likelihood of pregnant people having poor prenatal care, abusing substances, and experiencing sexual physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Postpartum, birthing people are more likely to question their competency as a parent, experience breastfeeding challenges, be less responsive to their baby, and have fewer positive outcome with their baby. Notably, suicide and overdose are the leading cause of maternal deaths. Babies born to parents with untreated MMH conditions have a higher risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, excessive crying, developmental delays, and adverse childhood experiences. The risk of stillbirth is also greater. Untreated MMH conditions are estimated to cost $14 billion in the U.S. annually.
- Arguments in Support. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists District IX notes that “Perinatal depression, which includes major and minor depressive episodes that occur during pregnancy or in the first 12 months after delivery, is one of the most common medical complications during pregnancy and the postpartum period, affecting one in seven women. It is important to identify pregnant and postpartum women with depression because untreated perinatal depression and other mood disorders can have devastating effects. There is evidence that screening alone can have clinical benefits, although initiation of treatment or referral to mental health care providers offers maximum benefit. Therefore, it is beneficial for all providers who may be providing care during the perinatal period to be trained in the knowledge and skills necessary to support their patients effectively.”
According to the California Children’s Trust, “There is a well-documented crisis in maternal mental health…AB 2581 will address these challenges by potentially increasing health workers’ awareness and expertise around maternal mental health.”
SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION:
Support:
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists District IX
The California Children's Trust
Opposition:
None received
-- END --
Date of Hearing: April 24, 2024
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Buffy Wicks, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2581
Author:(Maienschein) – As Amended Ver:April 10, 2024
Policy Committee: | Business and Professions | Vote: | 18 - 0 |
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill requires the following healing arts licensing boards to consider, in determining requirements for continuing education (CE) for licensees, a course in maternal mental health (MMH): Medical Board of California (MBC), Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), Physician Assistant Board (PAB), Board of Psychology (BOP), and the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).
FISCAL EFFECT:
Minor and absorbable costs.
COMMENTS:
- Purpose. According to the author:
In 2019, maternal mental health conditions became the primary cause of pregnancy-related deaths. Training perinatal nurses and providers in maternal mental health is crucial for effective patient support. Understanding women's health factors and addressing pregnancy risks is essential across healthcare disciplines. This bill expands education to include maternal mental health courses for various medical professionals, enhancing their ability to treat patients effectively.
- Maternal Mental Health. According to the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA), 20% of pregnant people are affected by mental health conditions, ranging from the “baby blues” to more serious conditions, such as depression, substance use disorder, post-traumatic stress disorders, bipolar disorder, and psychosis. Of those experiencing MMH conditions, 75% go untreated, increasing the likelihood of poor prenatal care, abusing substances, and experiencing physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Suicide and overdose are the leading cause of maternal death in the first year following pregnancy. Babies born to parents with untreated MMH conditions have a higher risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, excessive crying, developmental delays, and adverse childhood experiences. The risk of stillbirth is also greater. MMHLA reports untreated MMH conditions cost an estimated $14 billion in the U.S. annually.
- Related Legislation.
- AB 2270 (Maienschein) requires the Medical Board of California (MBC), the Osteopathic Medical Board of California (OMBC), BRN, PAB, BOP, and BBS to consider, in determining CE requirements, a course on menopausal mental or physical health to satisfy CE requirements.
- AB 3119 (Low) requires MBC to consider requiring licensed physicians to take a continuing education CE course on long COVID. AB 3119 is pending in this committee.
- AB 2270 (Maienschein) requires the Medical Board of California (MBC), the Osteopathic Medical Board of California (OMBC), BRN, PAB, BOP, and BBS to consider, in determining CE requirements, a course on menopausal mental or physical health to satisfy CE requirements.
- Prior Legislation.
- AB 845 (Maienschein), Chapter 220, Statutes of 2019, requires MBC to consider including a course in maternal mental health in CE requirements for physicians.
- AB 1340 (Maienschein), Chapter 759, Statutes of 2017, requires MBC to consider including among CE requirement for physicians a course integrating mental and physical health care in primary care settings.
- AB 845 (Maienschein), Chapter 220, Statutes of 2019, requires MBC to consider including a course in maternal mental health in CE requirements for physicians.
Analysis Prepared by: Allegra Kim / APPR. / (916) 319-2081
Date of Hearing: April 9, 2024
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS
Marc Berman, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2581
Author:(Maienschein) – As Introduced Ver:February 14, 2024
SUBJECT: Healing arts: continuing education: maternal mental health.
SUMMARY: Requires licensees of the Medical Board of California (MBC), Osteopathic Medical Board of California (OMBC), Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), Physician Assistants Board (PAB), Board of Psychology (BOP), and the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to have the option to take coursework on maternal mental health to satisfy continuing education (CE) requirements.
EXISTING LAW:
- Establishes the Medical Practice Act, which provides for the state’s licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons, and the Osteopathic Act, which provides for the state’s licensure and regulation of osteopathic physicians and surgeons. (Business and Professions Code (BPC) § 2000 et seq.)
- Establishes the MBC within the Department of Consumer Affairs for purposes of implementing and enforcing the Medical Practice Act. (BPC § 2001)
- Establishes the OMBC for purposes of implementing and enforcing the Osteopathic Act and the Medical Practice Act, when applicable. (BPC § 2701)
- Specifies that references to the MBC in the Medical Practice Act also refer to the OMBC, as specified. (BPC § 2451)
- Requires the MBC to adopt and administer standards for the CE of its licensees; authorizes the MBC to set content standards for any education regarding the prevention and treatment of a chronic disease; and mandates that the MBC require each licensed physician and surgeon to demonstrate satisfaction of CE requirements at intervals of not less than four nor more than six years. (BPC § 2190)
- Authorizes the MBC’s Division of Licensing to establish continuing medical education standards for courses that serve to maintain, develop, or increase the knowledge, skills, and professional performance that a physician and surgeon uses to provide care, or to improve the quality of care provided to patients. (BPC § 2190.1)
- Requires a physician and surgeon to complete not less than 50 hours of approved CE during every two years as a condition of license renewal. (California Code of Regulations, Title 16, § 1336)
- In determining its CE requirements, requires the MBC to consider including courses related to numerous specified subjects. (BPC §§ 2191, 2191.4, 2191.5, 2196.9)
- Requires most physicians and surgeons to complete a one-time CE course in pain management and the treatment of terminally ill and dying patients, which must include the subject of the risks associated with the use of Schedule II drugs. (BPC § 2190.5)
- Authorizes a physician and surgeon to complete a one-time CE course on the treatment and management of opiate-dependent patients as an alternative to the required course in pain management. (BPC § 2190.6)
- Requires the OMBC to adopt and administer standards for CE of osteopathic physician and surgeons. (BPC § 2454.5)
- Mandates that the OMBC require each licensed osteopathic physician and surgeon to complete a minimum of 50 hours of American Osteopathic Association CE hours, as specified, and demonstrate satisfaction of CE requirements every two years as a condition of license renewal. (BPC § 2454.5)
- Requires osteopathic physician and surgeons to complete a course on the risks of addiction associated with the use of Schedule II drugs. (BPC § 2454.5)
- Establishes the Nursing Practice Act, which provides for the state’s licensure and regulation of registered nurses. (BPC §§ 2700-2838.4)
- Establishes the BRN, within DCA, for purposes of implementing and enforcing the Nursing Practice Act. (BPC § 2701)
- Requires the BRN to, by regulation, establish standards for CE, as specified. (BPC § 2811.5(c))
- Requires registered nurses to complete 30 hours of CE approved by the BRN every two years as a condition of license renewal. (California Code of Regulations, Title 16, § 1451)
- In establishing standards for CE, requires the BRN to consider including a course in the special needs care of individuals and their families, including, but not limited to: pain and symptom management; the psychosocial dynamics of death; dying and bereavement; and hospice care. (BPD § 2811.5(f)
- Requires the BRN to adopt regulations requiring all CE courses to contain curriculum related to implicit bias. (BPC § 2736.5)
- Requires the BRN to encourage CE in spousal or partner abuse detection and treatment. (BPC § 2811.5(e))
- Establishes the Psychology Licensing Law, which provides for the state’s licensure and regulation of psychologists. (BPC § 2901)
- Establishes the BOP within DCA for purposes of implementing and enforcing the Psychology Licensing Law. (BPC § 2920)
- Requires licensed psychologists to complete 36 hours of approved continuing professional development (CPD), as specified, every two years as a condition of license renewal. (BPC § 2915(a))
- Requires the BOP to encourage every licensed psychologist to take CPD in geriatric pharmacology. (BPC § 2914.1)
- Requires the BOP to encourage licensed psychologists to take CPD in psychopharmacology and biological basis of behavior. (BPC § 2914.2)
- Establishes the Physician Assistant Practice Act, which provides for the state’s licensure and regulation of PAs. (BPC §§ 3500.5-3545)
- Authorizes the PAB to require a licensee to complete CE as a condition of license renewal, but not more than 50 hours every two years. (BPC § 3524.5(a))
- Requires the PAB to adopt regulations that require all CE courses to contain curriculum related to implicit bias. (BPC § 3524.5(b))
- Requires specified PAs to complete, as part of their CE requirements, a course that covers Schedule II controlled substances and the risks of addiction associated with their use. (BPC § 3502.1(e)(3))
- Establishes the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act, which provides for the state’s licensure and regulation of licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT), the Educational Psychologist Practice Act, which provides for the state’s licensure and regulation of licensed educational psychologists (LEP), the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act, which provides for the licensure and regulation of licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCC), and the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act, which provides for the state’s licensure and regulation of licensed clinical social workers (LCSW). (BPC §§ 4980-4989; 4989.10-4989.18; 4991-4998.5, 4999.10-4999.129)
- Establishes the BBS for purposes of implementing and enforcing the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act, the Educational Psychologist Practice Act, the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act, and the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act. (BPC § 4989.12)
- Requires licensees, as a condition of license renewal, to certify to the BBS that they have completed 36 hours of approved CE in or relevant to their field of practice in the past two years. (BPC § 4980.54(c), 4989.34(a), 4996.22(a), 4996.6(b)(3), 4999.76(a)(1))
- Requires that 6 hours of the required 36 hours of CE taken in a renewal period be in the subject of law and ethics. (California Code of Regulations, Title 16, § 1887.3(c))
- Requires continuing training, education, and coursework to be from approved providers and must incorporate one or more of the following: aspects of the discipline that are fundamental to the understanding or the practice of the profession for which the individual is licensed; aspects of the discipline in which significant recent developments have occurred; or aspects of other disciplines that enhance the understanding or the practice of the profession for which the individual is licensed. (BPC § 4980.54(h), 4989.34(c), 4996.22(f), and 4999.76(f))
- Requires the BBS to establish, by regulation, a procedure for identifying acceptable providers of CE courses for LMFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs, and requires all CE providers to adhere to procedures established by the BBS. (BPC §§ 4980.54(g), 4996.22(e), 4999.76(e))
THIS BILL:
- Requires a licensee of the MBC, BRN, BOP, PAB, or the BBS to have the option of taking coursework on maternal mental health to satisfy continuing education requirements, notwithstanding any law to the contrary.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown. This bill is keyed fiscal by Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS:
Purpose. This bill is author-sponsored. According to the author:
In 2019, maternal mental health conditions became the primary cause of pregnancy-related deaths. Training perinatal nurses and providers in maternal mental health is crucial for effective patient support. Understanding women's health factors and addressing pregnancy risks is essential across healthcare disciplines. This bill expands education to include maternal mental health courses for various medical professionals, enhancing their ability to treat patients effectively.
Background.
Continuing Medical Education for Physicians. Physicians and surgeons licensed by the MBC and the OMBC are required to complete 50 hours of approved CE every two years as a condition of license renewal. Though existing law also requires the MBC to consider requiring CE related to various topics (e.g. nutrition), there are only two subject-specific CE requirements in statute. Most physicians and surgeons are required to complete a one-time, 12-hour training in either the pain management and treatment of terminally ill and dying patients or the treatment and management of opiate-dependent patients.[1] Additionally, general internists and family physicians who have a patient population of which over 25 percent are 65 years of age or older must complete at least 20 percent of their mandatory CE in the field of geriatric medicine. Physicians are otherwise afforded great latitude in choosing which CE courses to take to satisfy their 50 hours. Both the MBC and the OMBC require CE courses to be accredited or approved by specified organizations such as the American Medical Association and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. Osteopathic physician and surgeons specifically are required to complete a minimum of 20 CE hours certified by the American Osteopathic Association.[2]
Continuing Education for Registered Nurses. All nurses under the BRN are required by statute to complete 30 hours of CE during each two-year renewal cycle to ensure continued competence. Courses must be related to either the scientific knowledge or technical skills required for the practice of nursing, or to direct or indirect patient care.[3] Courses approved by appropriate state, regional and national health professional associations as well as other professional health and licensing boards in and out of California can be acceptable, so long as the content meets the BRN's requirements.
Continuing Professional Development for Psychologists. Psychologists under the BOP are required to complete at least 36 hours of approved CDP every two years as a condition of license renewal. Acceptable CDP activities include professional activities (e.g. peer consultation, exam development, and attendance at a BOP meeting), academic activities (e.g. graduate level coursework and authoring publications), board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology, and sponsored CE.[4] The BOP accepts up to 27 hours of sponsored CE each renewal period and requires courses to be approved by the American Psychological Association, California Psychological Association, Association of Black Psychologists, California Medical Association, or the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.
Continuing Medical Education for Physician Assistants. Physician assistants are required to complete 50 hours of CME every two years as a condition of license renewal.[5] Continuing education requirements may be deemed satisfied if the physician assistant is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants at the time of renewal. CME courses must be Category I (Preapproved) by the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association Council on Continuing Medical Education, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), or a state medical society recognized by the ACCME.[6]
Continuing Education for Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Educational Psychologists, and Professional Clinical Counselors. The BBS requires licensees to complete 36 hours of CE, including 6 hours of Law and Ethics[7], every two-year license renewal period. LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs are also required to take one-time courses on suicide risk assessment and intervention, and telehealth as a condition of license renewal. Newly licensed LMFTs, LCSWs, and LPCCs are required to complete CE on HIV/AIDs prior to their first license renewal.[8] Similarly, newly licensed LEPs are required to take CE related to child abuse assessment and reporting[9] and alcoholism and other chemical substance dependency[10] if not completed prior to initial licensure. CE must be taken from a BBS-accepted provider, such as an accredited university or an organization or association that is recognized by the BSS as a CE provider.[11]
Maternal Mental Health. According to the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, 20 percent of pregnant people are affected by mental health conditions, ranging from the “baby blues” to more serious conditions such as depression, substance use disorder, post-traumatic stress disorders, bipolar disorder, and psychosis.[12] Of those experiencing maternal mental health (MMH) conditions, 75 percent go untreated, increasing the likelihood of pregnant people having poor prenatal care, abusing substances, and experiencing sexual physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Postpartum, birthing people are more likely to question their competency as a parent, experience breastfeeding challenges, be less responsive to their baby, and have fewer positive outcome with their baby. Notably, suicide and overdose are the leading cause of maternal deaths. Babies born to parents with untreated MMH conditions have a higher risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, excessive crying, developmental delays, and adverse childhood experiences. The risk of stillbirth is also greater. Untreated MMH conditions are estimated to cost $14 billion in the U.S. annually.
In 2019, AB 845 (Maienschein), Chapter 220, Statutes of 2019 was chaptered, requiring the MBC to consider including maternal mental health in its CME requirements for physician and surgeons. This bill would require physicians and surgeons, osteopathic physicians and surgeons, registered nurses, physician assistants, psychologists, LCSWs, LMFTs, LEPs, and LPCCs to have the option of taking CE coursework related to maternal mental health. In doing so, the author’s office provides that this bill would help eliminate inequities experiences by marginalized communities who are more likely to experience MMH conditions.
Current Related Legislation.
AB 2270 (Maienschein) of 2024 would require licensees of the MBC, OMBC, BRN, PAB, BOP, or the BBS to have the option to take coursework on menopausal mental or physical health within the scope of their practice to satisfy CE requirements. AB 2270 is pending in this committee.
AB 3119 (Low) of 2024 would require the MBC, in determining its CE requirements, to consider including a course in Long COVID. AB 3119 is pending in this committee.
Prior Related Legislation.
AB 845 (Maienschein), Chapter 220, Statutes of 2019, requires the MBC, in determining its CE requirements for physicians and surgeons to consider including a course in maternal mental health, as specified.
AB 2193 (Maienschein), Chapter 755, Statutes of 2018, requires a licensed health care practitioner who provides prenatal or postpartum care for a patient to ensure the mother is offered screening or is appropriately screened for MMH conditions.
AB 1340 (Maienschein), Chapter 759, Statutes of 2017, requires the MBC to, in determining its CE requirements, consider including a course on integrating mental and physical health care in primary care settings.
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT:
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists District IX writes in support of this bill:
Perinatal depression, which includes major and minor depressive episodes that occur during pregnancy or in the first 12 months after delivery, is one of the most common medical complications during pregnancy and the postpartum period, affecting one in seven women. It is important to identify pregnant and postpartum women with depression because untreated perinatal depression and other mood disorders can have devastating effects.
There is evidence that screening alone can have clinical benefits, although initiation of treatment or referral to mental health care providers offers maximum benefit. Therefore, it is beneficial for all providers who may be providing care during the perinatal period to be trained in the knowledge and skills necessary to support their patients effectively.
ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION:
None on file.
POLICY ISSUES.
Need for the bill. Historically, similar bills have either required a board to encourage its licensees to take CE related to a particular topic, mandated licensees to complete CE related to a specific topic, or required a board to consider requiring licensees to complete specified CE. This bill only requires that licensees have the option to take CE related to a specific subject—maternal mental health. This committee is currently aware of at least one CE course on the topic.[13] As such it is unclear why a licensee would not currently have the option to take CE related to maternal mental health unless such coursework is not relevant to the licensee’s practice or does not meet a board’s parameters for acceptable CE. Provided the availability of CE related to maternal mental health, the benefit of the bill is uncertain.
Relevance. Existing law requires licensees under the BBS (LCSWs, LMFTs, LEPs, and LPCCs) to take CE courses that are related to their field of practice. While the topic of menopause may be relevant to the practice of a LCSW, LMFT, or LPCC, it is much less likely to be applicable to LEPs whose clients are children. However, as currently written, this bill could be interpreted to require the BBS to accept menopause-related CE from any licensee regardless of germaneness.
IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES:
Impact on existing CE requirements. Existing law requires licensees to complete 30-50 hours of CE (depending on license type) every license renewal period. In fulfillment of a portion of those hours, some boards require licensees to complete coursework related to California law and ethics. As the bill is currently drafted, it is unclear whether the completion of a single CE course related to maternal mental health would satisfy the entirety of a licensee’s CE obligation, including any specific coursework required by a board.
AMENDMENTS:
To address the aforementioned policy and implementation issues, the author has agreed to amend the bill as follows:
- In Section 3 of the bill, strike out “
Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a licensee shall have the option of taking coursework on maternal mental health within the scope of their practice to satisfy continuing education requirements.” and replace with “In determining its continuing professional development requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.” - Strike the remainder of the bill.
- Add “In determining its continuing education requirements, the board shall consider including a course in maternal mental health.” to the following existing BPC Sections, respectively:
- BPC § 2811.5 related to registered nurses
- BPC § 3524.5 related to physician assistants
- BPC § 4980.54 related to marriage and family therapists
- BPC § 4989.34 related to educational psychologists
- BPC § 4996.22 related to social workers
- BPC § 4999.76 related to clinical counselors
REGISTERED SUPPORT:
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists District IX
REGISTERED OPPOSITION:
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by: Kaitlin Curry / B. & P. / (916) 319-3301
Pathologists and radiologists are exempt from this requirement. ↑
Osteopathic Medical Board of California Continuing Medical Education ↑
Board of Registered Nursing Continuing Education for License Renewal ↑
Board of Psychology Continuing Professional Development Information ↑
16 CCR § 1399.615 ↑
Physician Assistant Board Continuing Medical Education Information ↑
16 CCR § 1887.3(d) ↑
16 CCR § 1887.3(c) ↑
16 CCR § 1807.2 ↑
16 CCR § 1810 ↑
Board of Behavioral Sciences Licensee Continuing Education Information Brochure ↑
Maternal Mental Health Overview Fact Sheet - MMHLA - Nov 2023 ↑
Addressing Perinatal Mental Health Conditions in Obstetric Settings | ACOG ↑
Discussed in Hearing
1MIN
Assembly Floor
1MIN
Senate Floor
4MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development
6MIN
Assembly Standing Committee on Business and Professions
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):
