CA AB3175

Requires specified health practice settings (pediatric and adolescent hospital units, neonatal intensive care units, hospice and palliative care facilities, and outpatient specialty clinics) to offer child life specialist services on weekdays and weekends for patients receiving California Children's Services Program services.

Defines "child life specialist" as a person certified by the Association of Child Life Professionals who provides evidence-based interventions including therapeutic play, procedure preparation, and education to help children, youth, and families cope with illness, injury, trauma, and loss.

Mandates that child life specialist services be part of core interdisciplinary teams and end-of-life care in covered practice settings.

Requires the California Children's Services Program to offer child life specialist services and mandates transition of these services into Medi-Cal managed care health plan contracts in Whole Child Model counties.

Requires child life specialists to comply with the California Children's Services Program provider paneling requirements and directs the State Department of Health Care Services to obtain necessary federal approvals for implementation.