Existing law, the Respiratory Care Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of the practice of respiratory therapy by the Respiratory Care Board of California. The act defines respiratory care as a practice to mean a health care profession employed under the supervision of a medical director in the therapy, management, rehabilitation, diagnostic evaluation, and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities which affect the pulmonary system and associated aspects of cardiopulmonary and other systems functions. The act requires an applicant for a license as a respiratory care practitioner to complete specified education.

This bill would prohibit any state agency, as defined, except for the Respiratory Care Board of California, from defining or interpreting respiratory care for those licensed pursuant to these provisions, or from developing standardized procedures or protocols, unless authorized by these provisions or specifically required by state or federal statute. The bill would also authorize the board to adopt regulations to define, interpret, or identify basic respiratory tasks and services, intermediate respiratory tasks, services, and procedures that require formal training, and advanced respiratory tasks, services, and procedures that require supplemental training, as specified.