CA SB353

Extends authority for hospice licensees to provide palliative care to patients with serious illnesses (not just terminal illnesses) until January 1, 2027, previously set to expire January 1, 2022.

Requires licensees to report annually to the department by April 30 each year from 2022 through 2025 on palliative care services provided in the prior calendar year, including patient numbers, diagnoses, staffing changes, and complaints.

Changes reporting method from paper forms to the department's online reporting portal and shifts reporting deadline from January 1 to April 30 each year.

Requires the Department of Public Health to convene a stakeholder meeting by January 15, 2026 to discuss results from collected data on palliative care provision.

Defines "serious illness" as any condition that may result in death, regardless of estimated remaining lifespan, and sunsets all provisions on January 1, 2027.