​Public Policy Associates / CAMLT Legislative Overview - 2020 To Date (3/2026)

Legislative Successes

 

Of note, the 2020 legislative session was truncated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the bulk of health care legislation falling victim to the shortened session.  Additionally, California has faced massive budget shortfalls to date.

 

• Defeated a measure that would have given dentists the authority to be unrestricted waived lab directors.

 

• Opposed/defeated a measure that would have amended previous legislation regarding the Total Protein Refractometer Test. Amendments would have removed provisions regarding training.  CAMLT amendments to remove the onerous language were accepted in committee.

 

• Defeated a measure that would have expanded the pharmacist scope of practice into clinical laboratory sciences without the requisite education and training.

 

• Defeated a measure that would have expanded the definition of a laboratory director to include individuals who meet the CAP guidelines.

 

• Defeated a measure sponsored by Quest, which would have reshaped the scope of practice for unlicensed laboratory personnel to the detriment of patient safety.  PPA successfully sought a veto from the Governor.

 

• Defeated a measure sponsored by CA. Clinical Laboratory Association/Quest that among other things, would have eliminated the requirement for laboratory personnel to possess CLS or MLT licensure to perform medium/high complexity tests.

 

• Successfully amended a measure that would allow any holder of a Bachelor of biological, chemical or physical science degree to perform high complexity COVID-19 testing without a California CLA license.

 

Legislative Defeats

 

• Opposed a measure that would allow pharmacists to expand their scope with regard to SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza testing. The author of the measure refused to accept CAMLT amendments and has been signed into law despite PPA submitting a veto letter.

 

• Opposed a measure brought by Velano Vascular that would allow a phlebotomist/other health care worker to withdraw blood using needleless technology. PPA managed to stop the measure from advancing for the year, however, the bill began moving again the following year and has been signed into law by the Governor.

 

• Opposed a measure that would allow geneticists and reproductive biologists to the types of clinical laboratory personnel that are licensed and regulated by the department. The bill has been signed into law by the Governor.

 

• Due to the multi-year California budget shortfall, PPA was not able to successfully move the two CAMLT Sponsor bills that would have established a grant program/secured funding for training.

 

Additionally, PPA has monitored/watched countless legislative bills in which we successfully negotiated amendments prior to those measures becoming onerous.