AB 137 Summary

• Extends the moratorium on new hospice agency licenses until emergency regulations implementing state auditor recommendations are adopted, with deadline extended from January 1, 2024 to January 1, 2025.

• Authorizes the Department of Health Care Services to approve annual fee increases up to 5 percent for substance abuse treatment program licensing starting July 1, 2027, with increases exceeding 5 percent requiring legislative approval; requires development of a hardship fee waiver process by July 1, 2024.

• Requires Senate confirmation for appointments of the Emergency Medical Services Authority Director and Chief Medical Officer, with both positions held at the Governor's pleasure.

• Delays implementation of lead-related construction work certification requirements from January 1, 2024 to July 1, 2027, and delays the education and outreach program from July 1, 2023 to July 1, 2026.

• Modifies psychiatric residential treatment facility requirements, including changing interdisciplinary team composition to require a psychologist with a master's degree in clinical psychology instead of general mental health professionals, and permits disclosure of patient records to social workers and probation officers for dependent and ward juveniles without consent.

• Appropriates $56,239,000 from the Federal Trust Fund to the Department of Health Care Services for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant funds.