Legislature Returns to Sacramento from Summer Recess
After a month-long summer recess, the Legislature returned to Sacramento this week to power through the remaining four weeks of the first year of the legislative session. This week featured lengthy agendas in both the Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committees as next Friday is the deadline for fiscal committees to meet and report all fiscal bills. Many items have been placed on the suspense file for hearings next week where bills will meet their fate as the session begins to wind down.
Below, we highlight several bills of interest to members. This week’s full CHEAC Bill Chart is available here.
Local Health Department Administration
AB 1250 (Jones-Sawyer) as amended on 6/21/2017 – Oppose
AB 1250 by Assembly Member Reginald Jones-Sawyer, Sr., was scheduled to be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee. The author waived presentation as the bill was placed on the suspense file; however the chair allowed public comment. The measure would place onerous requirements on county contracting, including many of the contracts into which local health departments enter for vital public health services.
The Department of Finance released an analysis on AB 1250 this week, coming out in opposition to the measure. CHEAC remains opposed to this bill and is a part of a large opposition coalition led by the California State Association of Counties (CSAC). A large media campaign has been launched, including a website, and hundreds of organizations continue to work to prevent this measure from moving forward. AB 1250 will be heard on suspense file next Friday, September 1 in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
AB 1603 (Ridley-Thomas) as amended on 8/24/2017 – Oppose
AB 1603 by Assembly Member Sebastian Ridley-Thomas revises the definition of “public employee” and would authorize collective bargaining for temporary employees without consent by the public employer or temporary agency. The bill was amended yesterday to narrow the scope to focus on those jointly employed by a public agency and another employer to work at a clinic or hospital operated to provide medical education, a non-profit or community clinic, and a county hospital.
CHEAC has taken an oppose position on the measure, along with CSAC, the California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems (CAPH), the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California (CBHDA), and the Urban Counties of California (UCC). Though set to be heard in Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday, we are hearing it may head directly to the Senate Floor. CHEAC will provide a legislative alert as the bill advances.
Health Coverage
AB 340 (Arambula) as revised on 3/20/2017 – Support
Assembly Member Joaquin Arambula’s AB 340 was placed on the suspense file in the Senate Appropriations Committee this week. The measure would require that any Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) screen include screening for trauma. With an increased interest in understanding the impacts of adverse childhood events (ACEs) and childhood trauma on the communities we serve, CHEAC is supporting the bill, along with the County Welfare Directors Association (CWDA), the Health Officers Association of California (HOAC), and the California Behavioral Health Directors Association (CBHDA). AB 340 will be heard on suspense file in the Senate Appropriations Committee next Friday, September 1.
Health Equity
SB 138 (McGuire) as amended on 7/18/2017 – Support
SB 138 by Senator Mike McGuire was placed on the Assembly Appropriations Committee suspense file this week. The measure would require local education agencies participating in the federal school meal program to implement a system to directly certify students eligible for free or reduced price school meals using Medi-Cal participation data. SB 138 also requires high poverty schools to apply to operate a universal meal service program which allows schools to provide free breakfast and lunch to students without their families having to apply. CHEAC, along with CWDA and HOAC support this measure. SB 138 will be heard on suspense file in the Assembly Appropriations Committee next Friday, September 1.
Cannabis
AB 175 (Chau) as amended on 7/19/2017 – Support
Assembly Member Ed Chau’s AB 175 was set to be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee this week where it was placed on the suspense file. The measure would require adult use cannabis manufacturers, prior to releasing cannabis-infused edible products, to receive approval from CDPH, including submitting their packaging and labeling to the Department. CHEAC supports this measure as a way to prevent accidental ingestion of cannabis products by children in California. The measure will be heard on the Senate Appropriations Committee suspense file next Friday, September 1.