SB 1194 Summary

• Authorizes the Director of Consumer Affairs to review board actions determined to be "market-sensitive" (such as examination scores, licensing qualifications, scope of practice restrictions, and disciplinary patterns) to determine if they further clearly articulated state policy, with authority to approve, disapprove, or recommend modifications within 60-90 days.

• Requires the Director to cease implementation of market-sensitive board actions during review and to issue written decisions posted on the department's website; establishes annual reporting to legislative committees on director disapprovals and recommended modifications beginning March 1, 2017.

• Expands the Director's existing authority to audit and review complaints, dismissals of disciplinary cases, and investigations across all boards within the Department of Consumer Affairs (previously limited to specific medical boards).

• Amends the Government Claims Act to authorize public entities to pay treble damage antitrust awards against regulatory board members for acts within their official capacity, specifying that treble damages under the federal Clayton and Sherman Acts are not considered punitive damages.

• Makes technical updates including changes to the 30-day regulation review period to 60 days, removal of restrictions on Director access to examination materials, and clarification that judicial review remains available under other laws.