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SB-786 Healing arts. (2019-2020)

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Date Published: 10/03/2019 02:00 PM
SB786:v94#DOCUMENT

Senate Bill No. 786
CHAPTER 456

An act to amend Sections 803.1, 1902, 1902.1, 1902.2, 1902.3, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1905.1, 1905.2, 1906, 1909, 1910.5, 1916, 1917, 1917.1, 1917.3, 1918, 1922, 1926.1, 1926.2, 1926.3, 1926.4, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1936.1, 1940, 1941, 1941.5, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1950.5, 1951, 1952, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1958.1, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1966.1, 1966.2, 1966.4, 1966.5, 1966.6, 2234, 4980.36, 4980.37, 4980.43.4, 4980.50, 4980.81, 4989.22, 4990.30, 4992.1, 4996.23.3, 4999.32, 4999.33, 4999.46.4, and 4999.52 of, to repeal Section 4980.395 of, to repeal Article 8 (commencing with Section 2155) and Article 11 (commencing with Section 2200) of Chapter 5 of Division 2 of, and to repeal and add Sections 2940 and 2941 of, the Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts.

[ Approved by Governor  October 02, 2019. Filed with Secretary of State  October 02, 2019. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 786, Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development. Healing arts.
(1) Existing law requires the Medical Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, the California Board of Podiatric Medicine, and the Physician Assistant Board to disclose to an inquiring member of the public specified information regarding any enforcement action taken against a licensee.
This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to those provisions.
(2) Existing law, the Dental Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of dental hygienists by the Dental Hygiene Board of California within the Department of Consumer Affairs, and specifies that, for purposes of the dental hygiene provisions, “hygiene board” means the Dental Hygiene Board of California.
This bill, in the provisions regulating dental hygienists, would replace all of the references to “hygiene board” with “dental hygiene board.”
(3) Existing law authorizes the Medical Board of California to make loans to medical students at a prescribed interest rate in accordance with specified conditions, which are repayable to the Contingent Fund of the Medical Board of California.
This bill would repeal those provisions.
(4) Existing law authorizes the Medical Board of California to award loans to licensed physicians and surgeons who agree to establish a medical practice in an area deficient in primary care services, and requires those loans to be repayable to the Contingent Fund of the Medical Board of California.
This bill would repeal those provisions.
(5) Existing law, the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act and the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of marriage and family therapists and licensed professional clinical counselors, respectively, by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. Existing law requires an applicant for licensure or regulation as a marriage and family therapist to meet specified educational requirements, including, for specified applicants, possessing a doctoral or master’s degree that provides a practicum that involves direct client contact in, among others, prognosis, and instruction in the prognosis of mental disorders, and a supervised practicum in applied psychotherapeutic prognosis. Existing law requires an applicant for licensure as a professional clinical counselor to meet specified educational requirements, including possessing a degree that includes a supervised practicum or field study experience that involves direct client contact in a clinical setting for a range of professional clinical counseling experiences, including prognosis.
This bill would, under both acts, replace the requirement for prognosis with a requirement for treatment planning, as described above.
(6) Existing law, the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act, the Educational Psychologist Practice Act, the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act, and the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act, requires an applicant for licensure or regulation under those acts to pass specified board-administered examinations. Those acts prohibit the board from delaying informing a candidate for licensure of the results of the written examination solely upon the receipt of a complaint alleging acts or conduct that would constitute grounds to deny licensure. The Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act and the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act authorize the board to withhold the results of a specified clinical examination if the applicant had passed a law and ethics examination but was under the investigation of the board.
This bill would revise those acts to eliminate the prohibitions on the board from delaying informing a candidate for licensure of the results of the written examination solely upon the receipt of a complaint alleging acts or conduct that would constitute grounds to deny licensure. The bill would also revise the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act and the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act to remove the authorization for the board to withhold the results of a specified clinical examination as described above.
(7) Existing law, the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act, as a condition of licensure or registration, requires a person to possess a doctoral or master’s degree that meets specified requirements. The bill would add to the list of degrees that qualify a person for licensure or registration under the act to include a degree in clinical mental health counseling with an emphasis in either marriage, family, and child counseling or marriage and family therapy.
This bill would require that the doctoral or master’s degree program that qualifies for licensure or registration be a single, integrated program.
(8) Existing law, the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act, as a condition of licensure, requires a person to possess a master’s or doctoral degree that is counseling or psychotherapy in content and prescribes requirements for the degree.
This bill would require that the degree be a single, integrated program.
(9) Existing provisions of the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Act, the Clinical Social Worker Practice Act, and the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Act authorize trainees, associates, or applicants for licensure to only perform services at the places where their employer regularly conducts business and services.
This bill would instead authorize those persons to only perform services at the places where their employer permits business to be conducted.
(10) This bill would repeal obsolete provisions and would make other conforming and nonsubstantive changes.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 2234 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by SB 425 to be operative only if this bill and SB 425 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 4980.81 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by SB 679 to be operative only if this bill and SB 679 are enacted and this bill is enacted last.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 803.1 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

803.1.
 (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the Medical Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, the California Board of Podiatric Medicine, and the Physician Assistant Board shall disclose to an inquiring member of the public information regarding any enforcement actions taken against a licensee, including a former licensee, by the board or by another state or jurisdiction, including all of the following:
(1) Temporary restraining orders issued.
(2) Interim suspension orders issued.
(3) Revocations, suspensions, probations, or limitations on practice ordered by the board, including those made part of a probationary order or stipulated agreement.
(4) Public letters of reprimand issued.
(5) Infractions, citations, or fines imposed.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, in addition to the information provided in subdivision (a), the Medical Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, the California Board of Podiatric Medicine, and the Physician Assistant Board shall disclose to an inquiring member of the public all of the following:
(1) Civil judgments in any amount, whether or not vacated by a settlement after entry of the judgment, that were not reversed on appeal and arbitration awards in any amount of a claim or action for damages for death or personal injury caused by the licensee’s negligence, error, or omission in practice, or by rendering unauthorized professional services.
(2) (A) All settlements in the possession, custody, or control of the board shall be disclosed for a licensee in the low-risk category if there are three or more settlements for that licensee within the last 10 years, except for settlements by a licensee regardless of the amount paid where (i) the settlement is made as a part of the settlement of a class claim, (ii) the licensee paid in settlement of the class claim the same amount as the other licensees in the same class or similarly situated licensees in the same class, and (iii) the settlement was paid in the context of a case where the complaint that alleged class liability on behalf of the licensee also alleged a products liability class action cause of action. All settlements in the possession, custody, or control of the board shall be disclosed for a licensee in the high-risk category if there are four or more settlements for that licensee within the last 10 years except for settlements by a licensee regardless of the amount paid where (i) the settlement is made as a part of the settlement of a class claim, (ii) the licensee paid in settlement of the class claim the same amount as the other licensees in the same class or similarly situated licensees in the same class, and (iii) the settlement was paid in the context of a case where the complaint that alleged class liability on behalf of the licensee also alleged a products liability class action cause of action. Classification of a licensee in either a “high-risk category” or a “low-risk category” depends upon the specialty or subspecialty practiced by the licensee and the designation assigned to that specialty or subspecialty by the Medical Board of California, as described in subdivision (f). For the purposes of this paragraph, “settlement” means a settlement of an action described in paragraph (1) entered into by the licensee on or after January 1, 2003, in an amount of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) or more.
(B) The board shall not disclose the actual dollar amount of a settlement but shall put the number and amount of the settlement in context by doing the following:
(i) Comparing the settlement amount to the experience of other licensees within the same specialty or subspecialty, indicating if it is below average, average, or above average for the most recent 10-year period.
(ii) Reporting the number of years the licensee has been in practice.
(iii) Reporting the total number of licensees in that specialty or subspecialty, the number of those who have entered into a settlement agreement, and the percentage that number represents of the total number of licensees in the specialty or subspecialty.
(3) Current American Board of Medical Specialties certification or board equivalent as certified by the Medical Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, or the California Board of Podiatric Medicine.
(4) Approved postgraduate training.
(5) Status of the license of a licensee. By January 1, 2004, the Medical Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, and the California Board of Podiatric Medicine shall adopt regulations defining the status of a licensee. The board shall employ this definition when disclosing the status of a licensee pursuant to Section 2027.
(6) Any summaries of hospital disciplinary actions that result in the termination or revocation of a licensee’s staff privileges for medical disciplinary cause or reason, unless a court finds, in a final judgment, that the peer review resulting in the disciplinary action was conducted in bad faith and the licensee notifies the board of that finding. In addition, any exculpatory or explanatory statements submitted by the licentiate electronically pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 805 shall be disclosed. For purposes of this paragraph, “peer review” has the same meaning as defined in Section 805.
(c) Notwithstanding any other law, the Medical Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, the California Board of Podiatric Medicine, and the Physician Assistant Board shall disclose to an inquiring member of the public information received regarding felony convictions of a licensee.
(d) The Medical Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, the California Board of Podiatric Medicine, and the Physician Assistant Board may formulate appropriate disclaimers or explanatory statements to be included with any information released, and may by regulation establish categories of information that need not be disclosed to an inquiring member of the public because that information is unreliable or not sufficiently related to the licensee’s professional practice. The Medical Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, the California Board of Podiatric Medicine, and the Physician Assistant Board shall include the following statement when disclosing information concerning a settlement:
“Some studies have shown that there is no significant correlation between malpractice history and a licensee’s competence. At the same time, the State of California believes that consumers should have access to malpractice information. In these profiles, the State of California has given you information about both the malpractice settlement history for the licensee’s specialty and the licensee’s history of settlement payments only if in the last 10 years, the licensee, if in a low-risk specialty, has three or more settlements or the licensee, if in a high-risk specialty, has four or more settlements. The State of California has excluded some class action lawsuits because those cases are commonly related to systems issues such as product liability, rather than questions of individual professional competence and because they are brought on a class basis where the economic incentive for settlement is great. The State of California has placed payment amounts into three statistical categories: below average, average, and above average compared to others in the licensee’s specialty. To make the best health care decisions, you should view this information in perspective. You could miss an opportunity for high-quality care by selecting a licensee based solely on malpractice history.
When considering malpractice data, please keep in mind:
Malpractice histories tend to vary by specialty. Some specialties are more likely than others to be the subject of litigation. This report compares licensees only to the members of their specialty, not to all licensees, in order to make an individual licensee’s history more meaningful.
This report reflects data only for settlements made on or after January 1, 2003. Moreover, it includes information concerning those settlements for a 10-year period only. Therefore, you should know that a licensee may have made settlements in the 10 years immediately preceding January 1, 2003, that are not included in this report. After January 1, 2013, for licensees practicing less than 10 years, the data covers their total years of practice. You should take into account the effective date of settlement disclosure as well as how long the licensee has been in practice when considering malpractice averages.
The incident causing the malpractice claim may have happened years before a payment is finally made. Sometimes, it takes a long time for a malpractice lawsuit to settle. Some licensees work primarily with high-risk patients. These licensees may have malpractice settlement histories that are higher than average because they specialize in cases or patients who are at very high risk for problems.
Settlement of a claim may occur for a variety of reasons that do not necessarily reflect negatively on the professional competence or conduct of the licensee. A payment in settlement of a medical malpractice action or claim should not be construed as creating a presumption that medical malpractice has occurred.
You may wish to discuss information in this report and the general issue of malpractice with the licensee.”
(e) The Medical Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, the California Board of Podiatric Medicine, and the Physician Assistant Board shall, by regulation, develop standard terminology that accurately describes the different types of disciplinary filings and actions to take against a licensee as described in paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive, of subdivision (a). In providing the public with information about a licensee via the internet pursuant to Section 2027, the Medical Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, the California Board of Podiatric Medicine, and the Physician Assistant Board shall not use the terms “enforcement,” “discipline,” or similar language implying a sanction unless the licensee has been the subject of one of the actions described in paragraphs (1) to (5), inclusive, of subdivision (a).
(f) The Medical Board of California shall adopt regulations no later than July 1, 2003, designating each specialty and subspecialty practice area as either high risk or low risk. In promulgating these regulations, the board shall consult with commercial underwriters of medical malpractice insurance companies, health care systems that self-insure physicians and surgeons, and representatives of the California medical specialty societies. The board shall utilize the carriers’ statewide data to establish the two risk categories and the averages required by subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b). Prior to issuing regulations, the board shall convene public meetings with the medical malpractice carriers, self-insurers, and specialty representatives.
(g) The Medical Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, the California Board of Podiatric Medicine, and the Physician Assistant Board shall provide each licensee, including a former licensee under subdivision (a), with a copy of the text of any proposed public disclosure authorized by this section prior to release of the disclosure to the public. The licensee shall have 10 working days from the date the board provides the copy of the proposed public disclosure to propose corrections of factual inaccuracies. Nothing in this section shall prevent the board from disclosing information to the public prior to the expiration of the 10-day period.
(h) Pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), the specialty or subspecialty information required by this section shall group licensees by specialty board recognized pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 651 unless a different grouping would be more valid and the board, in its statement of reasons for its regulations, explains why the validity of the grouping would be more valid.

SEC. 2.

 Section 1902 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1902.
 For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply:
(a) “Dental hygiene board” means the Dental Hygiene Board of California.
(b) “Dental board” means the Dental Board of California.
(c) “Direct supervision” means the supervision of dental procedures based on instructions given by a licensed dentist who is required to be physically present in the treatment facility during the performance of those procedures.
(d) “General supervision” means the supervision of dental procedures based on instructions given by a licensed dentist who is not required to be physically present in the treatment facility during the performance of those procedures.
(e) “Oral prophylaxis” means preventive and therapeutic dental procedures that include bacterial debridements with complete removal, supra and subgingivally, of calculus, soft deposits, plaque, and stains, and the smoothing of tooth surfaces. The objective of this treatment is to create an environment in which the patient can maintain healthy hard and soft tissues.

SEC. 3.

 Section 1902.1 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1902.1.
 Protection of the public shall be the highest priority for the dental hygiene board in exercising its licensing, regulatory, and disciplinary functions. Whenever the protection of the public is inconsistent with other interests sought to be promoted, the protection of the public shall be paramount.

SEC. 4.

 Section 1902.2 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1902.2.
 (a) A licensee shall report, upon initial licensure and any subsequent application for renewal or inactive license, the practice or employment status of the licensee, designated as one of the following:
(1) Full-time practice or employment in a dental or dental hygiene practice of 32 hours per week or more in California.
(2) Full-time practice or employment in a dental or dental hygiene practice of 32 hours or more outside of California.
(3) Part-time practice or employment in a dental or dental hygiene practice for less than 32 hours per week in California.
(4) Part-time practice or employment in a dental or dental hygiene practice for less than 32 hours per week outside of California.
(5) Dental hygiene administrative employment that does not include direct patient care, as may be further defined by the dental hygiene board.
(6) Retired.
(7) Other practice or employment status, as may be further defined by the dental hygiene board.
(b) Information collected pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be posted on the internet website of the dental hygiene board.
(c) (1) A licensee may report on an application for renewal, and the dental hygiene board, as appropriate, shall collect, information regarding the licensee’s cultural background and foreign language proficiency.
(2) Information collected pursuant to this subdivision shall be aggregated on an annual basis, based on categories utilized by the dental hygiene board in the collection of the data, into both statewide totals and ZIP Code of primary practice or employment location totals.
(3) Aggregated information under this subdivision shall be compiled annually, and reported on the internet website of the dental hygiene board as appropriate, on or before July 1 of each year.
(d) It is the intent of the Legislature to utilize moneys in the State Dental Hygiene Fund to pay any cost incurred by the dental hygiene board in implementing this section.

SEC. 5.

 Section 1902.3 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1902.3.
 A registered dental hygienist licensed in another state may teach in a dental hygiene college without being licensed in this state if the person has a special permit. The dental hygiene board may issue a special permit to practice dental hygiene in a discipline at a dental hygiene college in this state to any person who submits an application and satisfies all of the following eligibility requirements:
(a) Furnishing satisfactory evidence of having a pending contract with a California dental hygiene college approved by the dental hygiene board as a full-time or part-time professor, associate professor, assistant professor, faculty member, or instructor.
(b) Furnishing satisfactory evidence of having graduated from a dental hygiene college approved by the dental hygiene board.
(c) Furnishing satisfactory evidence of having been certified as a diplomate of a specialty committee or, in lieu thereof, establishing qualifications to take a specialty committee examination or furnishing satisfactory evidence of having completed an advanced educational program in a discipline from a dental hygiene college approved by the dental hygiene board.
(d) Furnishing satisfactory evidence of having successfully completed an examination in California law and ethics developed and administered by the dental hygiene board.
(e) Paying an application fee, subject to a biennial renewal fee, as provided by Section 1944.

SEC. 6.

 Section 1903 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1903.
 (a) (1) The dental hygiene board shall consist of nine members as follows:
(A) Seven members appointed by the Governor as follows:
(i) Two members shall be public members.
(ii) One member shall be a practicing general or public health dentist who holds a current license in California.
(iii) Four members shall be registered dental hygienists who hold current licenses in California. Of the registered dental hygienist members, one shall be licensed either in alternative practice or in extended functions, one shall be a dental hygiene educator, and two shall be registered dental hygienists. No public member shall have been licensed under this chapter within five years of the date of their appointment or have any current financial interest in a dental-related business.
(B) One public member appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules.
(C) One public member appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.
(2) (A) The first appointment by the Senate Committee on Rules or the Speaker of the Assembly pursuant to this subdivision shall be made upon the expiration of the term of a public member that is scheduled to occur, or otherwise occurs, on or after January 1, 2019.
(B) It is the intent of the Legislature that committee members appointed prior to January 1, 2019, remain as hygiene board members until their term expires or except as otherwise provided in law, whichever occurs first.
(3) For purposes of this subdivision, a public health dentist is a dentist whose primary employer or place of employment is in any of the following:
(A) A primary care clinic licensed under subdivision (a) of Section 1204 of the Health and Safety Code.
(B) A primary care clinic exempt from licensure pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 1206 of the Health and Safety Code.
(C) A clinic owned or operated by a public hospital or health system.
(D) A clinic owned and operated by a hospital that maintains the primary contract with a county government to fill the county’s role under Section 17000 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(b) (1) Except as specified in paragraph (2), members of the dental hygiene board shall be appointed for a term of four years. Each member shall hold office until the appointment and qualification of the member’s successor or until one year shall have lapsed since the expiration of the term for which the member was appointed, whichever comes first.
(2) For the term commencing on January 1, 2012, two of the public members, the general or public health dentist member, and two of the registered dental hygienist members, other than the dental hygiene educator member or the registered dental hygienist member licensed in alternative practice or in extended functions, shall each serve a term of two years, expiring January 1, 2014.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law and subject to subdivision (e), the Governor may appoint to the dental hygiene board a person who previously served as a member of the former committee or hygiene board even if the person’s previous term expired.
(d) The dental hygiene board shall elect a president, a vice president, and a secretary from its membership.
(e) No person shall serve as a member of the dental hygiene board for more than two consecutive terms.
(f) A vacancy in the dental hygiene board shall be filled by appointment to the unexpired term.
(g) Each member of the dental hygiene board shall receive a per diem and expenses as provided in Section 103.
(h) The Governor shall have the power to remove any member from the dental hygiene board for neglect of a duty required by law, for incompetence, or for unprofessional or dishonorable conduct.
(i) The dental hygiene board, with the approval of the director, may appoint a person exempt from civil service who shall be designated as an executive officer and who shall exercise the powers and perform the duties delegated by the dental hygiene board and vested in the executive officer by this article.
(j) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2023, and as of that date is repealed.

SEC. 7.

 Section 1904 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1904.
 The dental hygiene board shall meet at least two times each calendar year and shall conduct additional meetings in appropriate locations that are necessary to transact its business.

SEC. 8.

 Section 1905 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1905.
 (a) The dental hygiene board shall perform the following functions:
(1) Evaluate all registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, and registered dental hygienist in extended functions educational programs that apply for approval and grant or deny approval of those applications in accordance with regulations adopted by the dental hygiene board. Any such educational programs approved by the dental board on or before June 30, 2009, shall be deemed approved by the dental hygiene board. Any dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation may be approved.
(2) Withdraw or revoke its prior approval of a registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or registered dental hygienist in extended functions educational program in accordance with regulations adopted by the dental hygiene board. The dental hygiene board may withdraw or revoke a dental hygiene program approval if the Commission on Dental Accreditation has indicated an intent to withdraw approval or has withdrawn approval.
(3) Review and evaluate all registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, and registered dental hygienist in extended functions applications for licensure to ascertain whether the applicant meets the appropriate licensing requirements specified by statute and regulations, maintain application records, cashier application fees, issue and renew licenses, and perform any other tasks that are incidental to the application and licensure processes.
(4) Determine the appropriate type of license examination consistent with the provisions of this article, and develop or cause to be developed and administer examinations in accordance with regulations adopted by the dental hygiene board.
(5) Determine the amount of fees assessed under this article, not to exceed the actual cost.
(6) Determine and enforce the continuing education requirements specified in Section 1936.1.
(7) Deny, suspend, or revoke a license under this article, or otherwise enforce the provisions of this article. Any such proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and the dental hygiene board shall have all of the powers granted therein.
(8) Make recommendations to the dental board regarding dental hygiene scope of practice issues.
(9) Adopt, amend, and revoke rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this article, including the amount of required supervision by a registered dental hygienist, a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or a registered dental hygienist in extended functions of a registered dental assistant.
(b) The dental hygiene board may employ employees and examiners that it deems necessary to carry out its functions and responsibilities under this article.

SEC. 9.

 Section 1905.1 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1905.1.
 The dental hygiene board may contract with the dental board to carry out this article. The dental hygiene board may contract with the dental board to perform investigations of applicants and licensees under this article.

SEC. 10.

 Section 1905.2 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1905.2.
 Recommendations by the dental hygiene board regarding scope of practice issues, as specified in paragraph (8) of subdivision (a) of Section 1905, shall be approved, modified, or rejected by the board within 90 days of submission of the recommendation to the board. If the board rejects or significantly modifies the intent or scope of the recommendation, the dental hygiene board may request that the board provide its reasons in writing for rejecting or significantly modifying the recommendation, which shall be provided by the board within 30 days of the request.

SEC. 11.

 Section 1906 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1906.
 (a) The dental hygiene board shall adopt, amend, and revoke regulations to implement the requirements of this article.
(b) All regulations adopted by the dental hygiene board shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(c) No regulation adopted by the dental hygiene board shall impose a requirement or a prohibition directly upon a licensed dentist or on the administration of a dental office, unless specifically authorized by this article.
(d) Unless contrary to the provisions of this article, regulations adopted by the dental board shall continue to apply to registered dental hygienists, registered dental hygienists in alternative practice, and registered dental hygienists in extended functions until other regulations are adopted by the dental hygiene board. All references in those regulations to “board” shall mean the dental hygiene board, which shall solely enforce the regulations with respect to registered dental hygienists, registered dental hygienists in alternative practice, and registered dental hygienists in extended functions.

SEC. 12.

 Section 1909 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1909.
 A registered dental hygienist is authorized to perform the following procedures under direct supervision of a licensed dentist, after submitting to the dental hygiene board evidence of satisfactory completion of a course of instruction, approved by the dental hygiene board, in the procedures:
(a) Soft-tissue curettage.
(b) Administration of local anesthesia.
(c) Administration of nitrous oxide and oxygen, whether administered alone or in combination with each other.

SEC. 13.

 Section 1910.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1910.5.
 (a) In addition to the duties specified in Section 1910, a registered dental hygienist is authorized to perform the following additional duties, as specified:
(1) Determine which radiographs to perform on a patient who has not received an initial examination by the supervising dentist for the specific purpose of the dentist making a diagnosis and treatment plan for the patient. In these circumstances, the dental hygienist shall follow protocols established by the supervising dentist. This paragraph only applies in the following settings:
(A) In a dental office setting.
(B) In a public health setting, using telehealth, as defined by Section 2290.5, for the purpose of communication with the supervising dentist, including, but not limited to, schools, head start and preschool programs, and community clinics.
(2) Place protective restorations, which for this purpose are identified as interim therapeutic restorations, and defined as a direct provisional restoration placed to stabilize the tooth until a licensed dentist diagnoses the need for further definitive treatment. An interim therapeutic restoration consists of the removal of soft material from the tooth using only hand instrumentation, without the use of rotary instrumentation, and subsequent placement of an adhesive restorative material. Local anesthesia shall not be necessary for interim therapeutic restoration placement. Interim therapeutic restorations shall be placed only in accordance with both of the following:
(A) In either of the following settings:
(i) In a dental office setting.
(ii) In a public health setting, using telehealth, as defined by Section 2290.5, for the purpose of communication with the supervising dentist, including, but not limited to, schools, head start and preschool programs, and community clinics.
(B) After the diagnosis, treatment plan, and instruction to perform the procedure provided by a dentist.
(b) The functions described in subdivision (a) may be performed by a registered dental hygienist only after completion of a program that includes training in performing those functions, or after providing evidence, satisfactory to the dental hygiene board, of having completed a dental hygiene board-approved course in those functions.
(c) No later than January 1, 2018, the dental hygiene board shall adopt regulations to establish requirements for courses of instruction for the procedures authorized to be performed by a registered dental hygienist and registered dental hygienist in alternative practice pursuant to Sections 1910.5 and 1926.05, using the competency-based training protocols established by the Health Workforce Pilot Project (HWPP) No. 172 through the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. The dental hygiene board shall use the curriculum submitted by the board pursuant to Section 1753.55 to adopt regulatory language for approval of courses of instruction for the interim therapeutic restoration. Any subsequent amendments to the regulations for the interim therapeutic restoration curriculum that are promulgated by the dental hygiene board shall be agreed upon by the board and the dental hygiene board.
(d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2018.

SEC. 14.

 Section 1916 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1916.
 (a) (1) An applicant for licensure under this article shall furnish electronic fingerprint images for submission to state and federal criminal justice agencies, including, but not limited to, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in order to establish the identity of the applicant and for the other purposes described in this section.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an out-of-state applicant or licensee residing out of state for whom an electronic record of the licensee’s fingerprints does not exist shall furnish a hardcopy of the applicant’s or licensee’s fingerprint card if electronic fingerprint images are not available or shared in the applicant’s or licensee’s state of residence.
(b) The dental hygiene board shall submit the fingerprint images or card to the Department of Justice for the purposes of obtaining criminal offender record information regarding state and federal level convictions and arrests, including arrests for which the Department of Justice establishes that the person is free on bail or on their own recognizance pending trial or appeal.
(c) When received, the Department of Justice shall forward to the Federal Bureau of Investigation requests for federal summary criminal history information received pursuant to this section. The Department of Justice shall review the information returned from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and compile and disseminate the response to the dental hygiene board.
(d) The Department of Justice shall provide a response to the dental hygiene board pursuant to subdivision (p) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code.
(e) The dental hygiene board shall request from the Department of Justice subsequent arrest notification service, as provided pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code.
(f) The information obtained as a result of the fingerprinting shall be used in accordance with Section 11105 of the Penal Code, and to determine whether the applicant is subject to denial of licensure pursuant to Division 1.5 (commencing with Section 475) or Section 1943.
(g) The Department of Justice shall charge a fee sufficient to cover the cost of processing the request described in this section.

SEC. 15.

 Section 1917 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1917.
 The dental hygiene board shall grant initial licensure as a registered dental hygienist to a person who satisfies all of the following requirements:
(a) Completion of an educational program for registered dental hygienists, approved by the dental hygiene board, accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, and conducted by a degree-granting, postsecondary institution.
(b) Within the preceding two years, satisfactory completion of the dental hygiene examination given by the Western Regional Examining Board or any other clinical or dental hygiene examination approved by the dental hygiene board.
(c) Satisfactory completion of the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.
(d) Satisfactory completion of the examination in California law and ethics as prescribed by the dental hygiene board.
(e) Submission of a completed application form and all fees required by the dental hygiene board.
(f) Satisfactory completion of dental hygiene board-approved instruction in gingival soft-tissue curettage, nitrous oxide-oxygen analgesia, and local anesthesia.

SEC. 16.

 Section 1917.1 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1917.1.
 (a) The dental hygiene board may grant a license as a registered dental hygienist to an applicant who has not taken a clinical examination before the dental hygiene board, if the applicant submits all of the following to the dental hygiene board:
(1) A completed application form and all fees required by the dental hygiene board.
(2) Proof of a current license as a registered dental hygienist issued by another state that is not revoked, suspended, or otherwise restricted.
(3) Proof that the applicant has been in clinical practice as a registered dental hygienist or has been a full-time faculty member in an accredited dental hygiene education program for a minimum of 750 hours per year for at least five years immediately preceding the date of application under this section. The clinical practice requirement shall be deemed met if the applicant provides proof of at least three years of clinical practice and commits to completing the remaining two years of clinical practice by filing with the dental hygiene board a copy of a pending contract to practice dental hygiene in any of the following facilities:
(A) A primary care clinic licensed under subdivision (a) of Section 1204 of the Health and Safety Code.
(B) A primary care clinic exempt from licensure pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 1206 of the Health and Safety Code.
(C) A clinic owned or operated by a public hospital or health system.
(D) A clinic owned and operated by a hospital that maintains the primary contract with a county government to fill the county’s role under Section 17000 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(4) Satisfactory performance on a California law and ethics examination and any examination that may be required by the dental hygiene board.
(5) Proof that the applicant has not been subject to disciplinary action by any state in which the applicant is or has been previously issued any professional or vocational license. If the applicant has been subject to disciplinary action, the dental hygiene board shall review that action to determine if it warrants refusal to issue a license to the applicant.
(6) Proof of graduation from a school of dental hygiene accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
(7) Proof of satisfactory completion of the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination and of a state clinical examination, regional clinical licensure examination, or any other clinical dental hygiene examination approved by the dental hygiene board.
(8) Proof that the applicant has not failed the state clinical examination, the examination given by the Western Regional Examining Board, or any other clinical dental hygiene examination approved by the dental hygiene board for licensure to practice dental hygiene under this chapter more than once or once within five years prior to the date of application for a license under this section.
(9) Documentation of completion of a minimum of 25 units of continuing education earned in the two years preceding application, including completion of any continuing education requirements imposed by the dental hygiene board on registered dental hygienists licensed in this state at the time of application.
(10) Any other information as specified by the dental hygiene board to the extent that it is required of applicants for licensure by examination under this article.
(b) The dental hygiene board may periodically request verification of compliance with the requirements of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), and may revoke the license upon a finding that the employment requirement or any other requirement of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) has not been met.
(c) The dental hygiene board shall provide in the application packet to each out-of-state dental hygienist pursuant to this section the following information:
(1) The location of dental manpower shortage areas in the state.
(2) Any nonprofit clinics, public hospitals, and accredited dental hygiene education programs seeking to contract with licensees for dental hygiene service delivery or training purposes.

SEC. 17.

 Section 1917.3 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1917.3.
 Notwithstanding Section 135, an examinee for a registered dental hygienist license who either fails to pass the clinical examination required by Section 1917 after three attempts or fails to pass the clinical examination as a result of a single incidence of imposing gross trauma on a patient shall not be eligible for further reexamination until the examinee has successfully completed remedial education at an approved dental hygiene program or a comparable organization approved by the dental hygiene board.

SEC. 18.

 Section 1918 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1918.
 The dental hygiene board shall license as a registered dental hygienist in extended functions a person who meets all of the following requirements:
(a) Holds a current license as a registered dental hygienist in California.
(b) Completes clinical training approved by the dental hygiene board in a facility affiliated with a dental school under the direct supervision of the dental school faculty.
(c) Performs satisfactorily on an examination required by the dental hygiene board.
(d) Completes an application form and pays all application fees required by the dental hygiene board.

SEC. 19.

 Section 1922 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1922.
 The dental hygiene board shall license as a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice a person who demonstrates satisfactory performance on an examination in California law and ethics required by the dental hygiene board and who completes an application form and pays all application fees required by the dental hygiene board and meets either of the following requirements:
(a) Holds a current California license as a registered dental hygienist and meets the following requirements:
(1) Has been engaged in the practice of dental hygiene, as defined in Section 1908, as a registered dental hygienist in any setting, including, but not limited to, educational settings and public health settings, for a minimum of 2,000 hours during the immediately preceding 36 months.
(2) Has successfully completed a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a college or institution of higher education that is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education, and a minimum of 150 hours of additional educational requirements, as prescribed by the dental hygiene board by regulation, that are consistent with good dental and dental hygiene practice, including, but not necessarily limited to, dental hygiene technique and theory including gerontology and medical emergencies, and business administration and practice management.
(b) Has received a letter of acceptance into the employment utilization phase of the Health Workforce Pilot Project No. 155 established by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 128125) of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code.

SEC. 20.

 Section 1926.1 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1926.1.
 Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice may operate a mobile dental hygiene clinic provided by the licensee’s property and casualty insurer as a temporary substitute site for the practice registered by the licensee pursuant to Section 1926.3, if both of the following requirements are met:
(a) The licensee’s registered place of practice has been rendered and remains unusable due to loss or calamity.
(b) The licensee’s insurer registers the mobile dental hygiene clinic with the dental hygiene board in compliance with Section 1926.3.

SEC. 21.

 Section 1926.2 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1926.2.
 (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice may operate one mobile dental hygiene clinic registered as a dental hygiene office or facility. The owner or operator of the mobile dental hygiene clinic or unit shall be registered and operated in accordance with regulations established by the dental hygiene board, which regulations shall not be designed to prevent or lessen competition in service areas, and shall pay the fees described in Section 1944.
(b) A mobile service unit, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 1765.105 of the Health and Safety Code, and a mobile unit operated by an entity that is exempt from licensure pursuant to subdivision (b), (c), or (h) of Section 1206 of the Health and Safety Code, are exempt from this article. Notwithstanding this exemption, the owner or operator of the mobile unit shall notify the dental hygiene board within 60 days of the date on which dental hygiene services are first delivered in the mobile unit, or the date on which the mobile unit’s application pursuant to Section 1765.130 of the Health and Safety Code is approved, whichever is earlier.
(c) A licensee practicing in a mobile unit described in subdivision (b) is not subject to subdivision (a) as to that mobile unit.

SEC. 22.

 Section 1926.3 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1926.3.
 Every person who is now or hereafter licensed as a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice in this state shall register with the executive officer, on forms prescribed by the dental hygiene board, the person’s place of practice, or, if the person has more than one place of practice pursuant to Section 1926.4, all of the places of practice. If the person has no place of practice, the person shall notify the executive officer. A person licensed by the dental hygiene board shall register with the executive officer within 30 days after the date of the issuance of the person’s license as a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice.

SEC. 23.

 Section 1926.4 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1926.4.
 When a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice desires to have more than one place of practice, the person shall, before opening the additional office, apply to the dental hygiene board, pay the fee required by Section 1944, and obtain permission in writing from the dental hygiene board to have the additional place of practice, subject to a biennial renewal fee described in Section 1944.

SEC. 24.

 Section 1930 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1930.
 A registered dental hygienist in alternative practice shall provide to the dental hygiene board documentation of an existing relationship with at least one dentist for referral, consultation, and emergency services.

SEC. 25.

 Section 1931 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1931.
 (a) (1) A dental hygienist in alternative practice may provide services to a patient without obtaining written verification that the patient has been examined by a dentist or physician and surgeon licensed to practice in this state.
(2) If the dental hygienist in alternative practice provides services to a patient 18 months or more after the first date that the person provides services to a patient, the person shall obtain written verification that the patient has been examined by a dentist or physician and surgeon licensed to practice in this state. The verification shall include a prescription for dental hygiene services as described in subdivision (b).
(b) A registered dental hygienist in alternative practice may provide dental hygiene services for a patient who presents to the registered dental hygienist in alternative practice a written prescription for dental hygiene services issued by a dentist or physician and surgeon licensed to practice in this state. The prescription shall be valid for a time period based on the dentist’s or physician and surgeon’s professional judgment, but not to exceed two years from the date it was issued.
(c) (1) The dental hygiene board may seek to obtain an injunction against any registered dental hygienist in alternative practice who provides services pursuant to this section, if the dental hygiene board has reasonable cause to believe that the services are being provided to a patient who has not received a prescription for those services from a dentist or physician and surgeon licensed to practice in this state.
(2) Providing services pursuant to this section without obtaining a prescription in accordance with subdivision (b) shall constitute unprofessional conduct on the part of the registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, and reason for the dental hygiene board to revoke or suspend the license of the registered dental hygienist in alternative practice pursuant to Section 1947.

SEC. 26.

 Section 1932 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1932.
 (a) The dental hygiene board may, in its sole discretion, issue a probationary license to an applicant who has satisfied all requirements for licensure as a registered dental hygienist, a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or a registered dental hygienist in extended functions. The dental hygiene board may require, as a term or condition of issuing the probationary license, that the applicant comply with certain additional requirements, including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) Successfully completing a professional competency examination.
(2) Submitting to a medical or psychological evaluation.
(3) Submitting to continuing medical or psychological treatment.
(4) Abstaining from the use of alcohol or drugs.
(5) Submitting to random fluid testing for alcohol or controlled substance abuse.
(6) Submitting to continuing participation in a dental hygiene board-approved rehabilitation program.
(7) Restricting the type or circumstances of practice.
(8) Submitting to continuing education and coursework.
(9) Complying with requirements regarding notifying the dental hygiene board of any change of employer or employment.
(10) Complying with probation monitoring.
(11) Complying with all laws and regulations governing the practice of dental hygiene.
(12) Limiting the applicant’s practice to a supervised, structured environment in which the applicant’s activities are supervised by a specified person.
(b) The term of a probationary license is three years. During the term of the license, the licensee may petition the dental hygiene board for a modification of a term or condition of the license or for the issuance of a license that is not probationary.
(c) The proceedings under this section shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and the dental hygiene board shall have all the powers granted in that chapter.

SEC. 27.

 Section 1934 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1934.
 A licensee who changes their physical address of record or email address shall notify the dental hygiene board within 30 days of the change. A licensee who changes their legal name shall provide the dental hygiene board with documentation of the change within 10 days.

SEC. 28.

 Section 1935 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1935.
 If not renewed, a license issued under the provisions of this article, unless specifically excepted, expires at 12 midnight on the last day of the month of the legal birth date of the licensee during the second year of a two-year term. To renew an unexpired license, the licensee shall, before the time at which the license would otherwise expire, apply for renewal on a form prescribed by the dental hygiene board and pay the renewal fee prescribed by this article.

SEC. 29.

 Section 1936 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1936.
 Except as otherwise provided in this article, an expired license may be renewed at any time within five years after its expiration by filing an application for renewal on a form prescribed by the dental hygiene board and payment of all accrued renewal and delinquency fees. If the license is renewed after its expiration, the licensee, as a condition precedent of renewal, shall also pay the delinquency fee prescribed by this article. Renewal under this section shall be effective on the date on which the application is filed, on the date on which the renewal fee is paid, or on the date on which the delinquency fee, if any, is paid, whichever last occurs. If so renewed, the license shall continue in effect until the expiration date provided in Section 1935 that next occurs after the effective date of the renewal.

SEC. 30.

 Section 1936.1 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1936.1.
 (a) The dental hygiene board shall require, as a condition of license renewal, that licensees submit assurances satisfactory to the dental hygiene board that they will, during the succeeding two-year period, inform themselves of the developments in the practice of dental hygiene occurring since the original issuance of their licenses by pursuing one or more courses of study satisfactory to the dental hygiene board, or by other means deemed equivalent by the dental hygiene board. The dental hygiene board shall adopt, amend, and revoke regulations providing for the suspension of the licenses at the end of the two-year period until compliance with the assurances provided for in this section is accomplished. The dental hygiene board shall conduct random audits of at least 5 percent of the licensee population each year to ensure compliance of the continuing education requirement.
(b) The dental hygiene board shall also, as a condition of license renewal, require licensees to successfully complete a portion of the required continuing education hours in specific areas adopted in regulations by the dental hygiene board. The dental hygiene board may prescribe this mandatory coursework within the general areas of patient care, health and safety, and law and ethics. The mandatory coursework prescribed by the dental hygiene board shall not exceed seven and one-half hours per renewal period. Any mandatory coursework required by the dental hygiene board shall be credited toward the continuing education requirements established by the dental hygiene board pursuant to subdivision (a).
(c) The providers of courses referred to in this section shall be approved by the dental hygiene board. Providers approved by the dental board shall be deemed approved by the dental hygiene board.

SEC. 31.

 Section 1940 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1940.
 (a) A licensee who desires an inactive license shall submit an application to the dental hygiene board on a form provided by the dental hygiene board.
(b) In order to restore an inactive license to active status, the licensee shall submit an application to the dental hygiene board on a form provided by the dental hygiene board, accompanied by evidence that the licensee has completed the required number of hours of approved continuing education in compliance with this article within the last two years preceding the date of the application.
(c) The holder of an inactive license shall continue to pay to the dental hygiene board the required biennial renewal fee.
(d) Within 30 days of receiving a request either to restore an inactive license or to inactivate a license, the dental hygiene board shall inform the applicant in writing whether the application is complete and accepted for filing or is deficient and, if so, the specific information required to complete the application.

SEC. 32.

 Section 1941 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1941.
 (a) The dental hygiene board shall grant or renew approval of only those educational programs for a registered dental hygienist, a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or a registered dental hygienist in extended functions that continuously maintain a high-quality standard of instruction and, where appropriate, meet the minimum standards set by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association or an equivalent body, as determined by the dental hygiene board.
(b) A new educational program for registered dental hygienists shall submit a feasibility study demonstrating a need for a new educational program and shall apply for approval from the dental hygiene board prior to seeking approval for initial accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association or an equivalent body, as determined by the dental hygiene board. The dental hygiene board may approve, provisionally approve, or deny approval of any such new educational program.
(c) For purposes of this section, a new educational program for registered dental hygienists means a program provided by a college or institution of higher education that is accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and that has as its primary purpose providing college level courses leading to an associate or higher degree, that is either affiliated with or conducted by a dental school approved by the dental board, or that is accredited to offer college level or college parallel programs by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association or an equivalent body, as determined by the dental hygiene board.

SEC. 33.

 Section 1941.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1941.5.
 (a) The dental hygiene board shall renew approval of educational programs for a registered dental hygienist, a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or a registered dental hygienist in extended functions that certify to the dental hygiene board on a form prescribed by the dental hygiene board that the program continues to meet the requirements prescribed by the dental hygiene board.
(b) The dental hygiene board may conduct periodic surveys, evaluations, and announced and unannounced site visits to existing and new educational programs for a registered dental hygienist, a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or a registered dental hygienist in extended functions to ensure continued compliance of educational program requirements and Commission on Dental Accreditation standards for continued approval.
(c) An existing or new educational program for a registered dental hygienist, a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or a registered dental hygienist in extended functions that is found to be noncompliant with the educational program requirements and Commission on Dental Accreditation standards may be placed on probation with terms, issued a citation and fine, or have its approval withdrawn if compliance is not met within reasonable specified timelines.
(d) The dental hygiene board, or through an authorized representative, may issue a citation containing fines and orders of abatement for any approved educational program for a registered dental hygienist, a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or a registered dental hygienist in extended functions for any violation of this section or the regulations adopted pursuant to this section.

SEC. 34.

 Section 1942 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1942.
 (a) As used in this article, “extramural dental facility” means any clinical facility that has contracted with an approved dental hygiene educational program for instruction in dental hygiene, that exists outside or beyond the walls, boundaries, or precincts of the primary campus of the approved program, and in which dental hygiene services are rendered.
(b) An approved dental hygiene educational program shall register an extramural dental facility with the dental hygiene board. That registration shall be accompanied by information supplied by the dental hygiene program pertaining to faculty supervision, scope of treatment to be rendered, name and location of the facility, date on which the operation will commence, discipline of which the instruction is a part, and a brief description of the equipment and facilities available. The foregoing information shall be supplemented by a copy of the agreement between the approved dental hygiene educational program or parent university, and the affiliated institution establishing the contractual relationship. Any change in the information initially provided to the dental hygiene board shall be communicated to the dental hygiene board.

SEC. 35.

 Section 1943 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1943.
 (a) The dental hygiene board may deny an application to take an examination for licensure as a registered dental hygienist, a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or a registered dental hygienist in extended functions at any time prior to licensure for any of the following reasons:
(1) The applicant committed an act that is a ground for license suspension or revocation under this code or that is a ground for the denial of licensure under Section 480.
(2) The applicant committed or aided and abetted the commission of any act for which a license is required under this chapter.
(3) Another state or territory suspended or revoked the license that it had issued to the applicant on a ground that constitutes a basis in this state for the suspension or revocation of licensure under this article.
(b) The proceedings under this section shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and the dental hygiene board shall have all of the powers granted therein.

SEC. 36.

 Section 1944 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1944.
 (a) The dental hygiene board shall establish by resolution the amount of the fees that relate to the licensing of a registered dental hygienist, a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, and a registered dental hygienist in extended functions. The fees established by board resolution in effect on June 30, 2009, as they relate to the licensure of registered dental hygienists, registered dental hygienists in alternative practice, and registered dental hygienists in extended functions, shall remain in effect until modified by the dental hygiene board. The fees are subject to the following limitations:
(1) The application fee for an original license and the fee for issuance of an original license shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250).
(2) The fee for examination for licensure as a registered dental hygienist shall not exceed the actual cost of the examination.
(3) The fee for examination for licensure as a registered dental hygienist in extended functions shall not exceed the actual cost of the examination.
(4) The fee for examination for licensure as a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice shall not exceed the actual cost of administering the examination.
(5) The biennial renewal fee shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500).
(6) The delinquency fee shall not exceed one-half of the renewal fee. Any delinquent license may be restored only upon payment of all fees, including the delinquency fee, and compliance with all other applicable requirements of this article.
(7) The fee for issuance of a duplicate license to replace one that is lost or destroyed, or in the event of a name change, shall not exceed twenty-five dollars ($25) or one-half of the renewal fee, whichever is greater.
(8) The fee for certification of licensure shall not exceed one-half of the renewal fee.
(9) The fee for each curriculum review and feasibility study review for educational programs for dental hygienists who are not accredited by a dental hygiene board-approved agency shall not exceed two thousand one hundred dollars ($2,100).
(10) The fee for each review or approval of course requirements for licensure or procedures that require additional training shall not exceed seven hundred fifty dollars ($750).
(11) The initial application and biennial fee for a provider of continuing education shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500).
(12) The amount of fees payable in connection with permits issued under Section 1962 is as follows:
(A) The initial permit fee is an amount equal to the renewal fee for the applicant’s license to practice dental hygiene in effect on the last regular renewal date before the date on which the permit is issued.
(B) If the permit will expire less than one year after its issuance, then the initial permit fee is an amount equal to 50 percent of the renewal fee in effect on the last regular renewal date before the date on which the permit is issued.
(13) The fee for the dental hygiene board to conduct a site visit to educational programs for a registered dental hygienist, a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or a registered dental hygienist in extended functions to ensure compliance of educational program requirements shall not exceed the actual cost incurred by the dental hygiene board for cost recovery of site visit expenditures.
(14) The fee for a retired license shall not exceed one-half of the current license renewal fee.
(b) The renewal and delinquency fees shall be fixed by the dental hygiene board by resolution at not more than the current amount of the renewal fee for a license to practice under this article nor less than five dollars ($5).
(c) Fees fixed by the dental hygiene board by resolution pursuant to this section shall not be subject to the approval of the Office of Administrative Law.
(d) Fees collected pursuant to this section shall be collected by the dental hygiene board and deposited into the State Dental Hygiene Fund, which is hereby created. All money in this fund shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature in the annual Budget Act, be used to implement this article.
(e) No fees or charges other than those listed in this section shall be levied by the dental hygiene board in connection with the licensure of registered dental hygienists, registered dental hygienists in alternative practice, or registered dental hygienists in extended functions.
(f) The fee for registration of an extramural dental facility shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250).
(g) The fee for registration of a mobile dental hygiene unit shall not exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150).
(h) The biennial renewal fee for a mobile dental hygiene unit shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250).
(i) The fee for an additional office permit shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250).
(j) The biennial renewal fee for an additional office as described in Section 1926.4 shall not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250).
(k) The initial application and biennial special permit fee is an amount equal to the biennial renewal fee specified in paragraph (6) of subdivision (a).
(l) The fees in this section shall not exceed an amount sufficient to cover the reasonable regulatory cost of carrying out this article.

SEC. 37.

 Section 1947 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1947.
 A license issued under this article and a license issued under this chapter to a registered dental hygienist, to a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or to a registered dental hygienist in extended functions may be revoked or suspended by the dental hygiene board for any reason specified in this article for the suspension or revocation of a license to practice dental hygiene.

SEC. 38.

 Section 1949 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1949.
 A licensee may have their license revoked or suspended, or may be reprimanded or placed on probation by the dental hygiene board for unprofessional conduct, incompetence, gross negligence, repeated acts of negligence in the licensee’s profession, receiving a license by mistake, or for any other cause applicable to the licentiate provided in this article. The proceedings under this article shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and the dental hygiene board shall have all the powers granted therein.

SEC. 39.

 Section 1950 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1950.
 (a) A licensee may have their license revoked or suspended, or may be reprimanded or placed on probation by the dental hygiene board, for conviction of a crime substantially related to the licensee’s qualifications, functions, or duties. The record of conviction or a copy certified by the clerk of the court or by the judge in whose court the conviction occurred shall be conclusive evidence of conviction.
(b) The dental hygiene board shall undertake proceedings under this section upon the receipt of a certified copy of the record of conviction. A plea or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere made to a charge of a felony or of any misdemeanor substantially related to the licensee’s qualifications, functions, or duties is deemed to be a conviction within the meaning of this section.
(c) The dental hygiene board may reprimand a licensee or order a license suspended or revoked, or placed on probation or may decline to issue a license, when any of the following occur:
(1) The time for appeal has elapsed.
(2) The judgment of conviction has been affirmed on appeal.
(3) An order granting probation is made suspending the imposition of sentence, irrespective of a subsequent order under any provision of the Penal Code, including, but not limited to, Section 1203.4 of the Penal Code, allowing a person to withdraw their plea of guilty and to enter a plea of not guilty, or setting aside the verdict of guilty, or dismissing the accusation, information, or indictment.

SEC. 40.

 Section 1950.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1950.5.
 Unprofessional conduct by a person licensed under this article is defined as, but is not limited to, any one of the following:
(a) The obtaining of any fee by fraud or misrepresentation.
(b) The aiding or abetting of any unlicensed person to practice dentistry or dental hygiene.
(c) The aiding or abetting of a licensed person to practice dentistry or dental hygiene unlawfully.
(d) The committing of any act or acts of sexual abuse, misconduct, or relations with a patient that are substantially related to the practice of dental hygiene.
(e) The use of any false, assumed, or fictitious name, either as an individual, firm, corporation, or otherwise, or any name other than the name under which the person is licensed to practice, in advertising or in any other manner indicating that the person is practicing or will practice dentistry, except the name specified in a valid permit issued pursuant to Section 1962.
(f) The practice of accepting or receiving any commission or the rebating in any form or manner of fees for professional services, radiographs, prescriptions, or other services or articles supplied to patients.
(g) The making use by the licensee or any agent of the licensee of any advertising statements of a character tending to deceive or mislead the public.
(h) The advertising of either professional superiority or the advertising of performance of professional services in a superior manner. This subdivision shall not prohibit advertising permitted by subdivision (h) of Section 651.
(i) The employing or the making use of solicitors.
(j) Advertising in violation of Section 651.
(k) Advertising to guarantee any dental hygiene service, or to perform any dental hygiene procedure painlessly. This subdivision shall not prohibit advertising permitted by Section 651.
(l) The violation of any of the provisions of this division.
(m) The permitting of any person to operate dental radiographic equipment who has not met the requirements to do so, as determined by the dental hygiene board.
(n) The clearly excessive administering of drugs or treatment, or the clearly excessive use of treatment procedures, or the clearly excessive use of treatment facilities, as determined by the customary practice and standards of the dental hygiene profession.
Any person who violates this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) or more than six hundred dollars ($600), or by imprisonment for a term of not less than 60 days or more than 180 days, or by both a fine and imprisonment.
(o) The use of threats or harassment against any patient or licensee for providing evidence in any possible or actual disciplinary action, or other legal action; or the discharge of an employee primarily based on the employee’s attempt to comply with the provisions of this chapter or to aid in the compliance.
(p) Suspension or revocation of a license issued, or discipline imposed, by another state or territory on grounds that would be the basis of discipline in this state.
(q) The alteration of a patient’s record with intent to deceive.
(r) Unsanitary or unsafe office conditions, as determined by the customary practice and standards of the dental hygiene profession.
(s) The abandonment of the patient by the licensee, without written notice to the patient that treatment is to be discontinued and before the patient has ample opportunity to secure the services of another registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or registered dental hygienist in extended functions and provided the health of the patient is not jeopardized.
(t) The willful misrepresentation of facts relating to a disciplinary action to the patients of a disciplined licensee.
(u) Use of fraud in the procurement of any license issued pursuant to this article.
(v) Any action or conduct that would have warranted the denial of the license.
(w) The aiding or abetting of a registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or registered dental hygienist in extended functions to practice dental hygiene in a negligent or incompetent manner.
(x) The failure to report to the dental hygiene board in writing within seven days any of the following: (1) the death of the licensee’s patient during the performance of any dental hygiene procedure; (2) the discovery of the death of a patient whose death is related to a dental hygiene procedure performed by the licensee; or (3) except for a scheduled hospitalization, the removal to a hospital or emergency center for medical treatment for a period exceeding 24 hours of any patient as a result of dental or dental hygiene treatment. Upon receipt of a report pursuant to this subdivision, the dental hygiene board may conduct an inspection of the dental hygiene practice office if the dental hygiene board finds that it is necessary.
(y) A registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or registered dental hygienist in extended functions shall report to the dental hygiene board all deaths occurring in their practice with a copy sent to the dental board if the death occurred while working as an employee in a dental office. A dentist shall report to the dental board all deaths occurring in their practice with a copy sent to the dental hygiene board if the death was the result of treatment by a registered dental hygienist, registered dental hygienist in alternative practice, or registered dental hygienist in extended functions.

SEC. 41.

 Section 1951 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1951.
 The dental hygiene board may discipline a licensee by placing the licensee on probation under various terms and conditions that may include, but are not limited to, the following:
(a) Requiring the licensee to obtain additional training or pass an examination upon completion of training, or both. The examination may be a written or oral examination, or both, and may be a practical or clinical examination, or both, at the option of the dental hygiene board.
(b) Requiring the licensee to submit to a complete diagnostic examination by one or more physicians appointed by the dental hygiene board, if warranted by the physical or mental condition of the licensee. If the dental hygiene board requires the licensee to submit to an examination, the dental hygiene board shall receive and consider any other report of a complete diagnostic examination given by one or more physicians of the licensee’s choice.
(c) Restricting or limiting the extent, scope, or type of practice of the licensee.
(d) Requiring restitution of fees to the licensee’s patients or payers of services, unless restitution has already been made.
(e) Providing the option of alternative community service in lieu of all or part of a period of suspension in cases other than violations relating to quality of care.

SEC. 42.

 Section 1952 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1952.
 It is unprofessional conduct for a person licensed under this article to do any of the following:
(a) Obtain or possess in violation of law, or except as directed by a licensed physician and surgeon, dentist, or podiatrist, a controlled substance, as defined in Division 10 (commencing with Section 11000) of the Health and Safety Code, or any dangerous drug as defined in Section 4022.
(b) Use a controlled substance, as defined in Division 10 (commencing with Section 11000) of the Health and Safety Code, or a dangerous drug as defined in Section 4022, or alcoholic beverages or other intoxicating substances, to an extent or in a manner dangerous or injurious to themselves, to any person, or the public to the extent that the use impairs the licensee’s ability to conduct with safety to the public the practice authorized by their license.
(c) Be convicted of a charge of violating any federal statute or rules, or any statute or rule of this state, regulating controlled substances, as defined in Division 10 (commencing with Section 11000) of the Health and Safety Code, or any dangerous drug, as defined in Section 4022, or be convicted of more than one misdemeanor, or any felony, involving the use or consumption of alcohol or drugs, if the conviction is substantially related to the practice authorized by their license.
(1) The record of conviction or a copy certified by the clerk of the court or by the judge in whose court the conviction is had, shall be conclusive evidence of a violation of this section. A plea or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere is deemed to be a conviction within the meaning of this section.
(2) The dental hygiene board may order the license suspended or revoked, or may decline to issue a license, when the time for appeal has elapsed or the judgment of conviction has been affirmed on appeal, or when an order granting probation is made suspending imposition of sentence, irrespective of a subsequent order under any provision of the Penal Code, including, but not limited to, Section 1203.4 of the Penal Code, allowing a person to withdraw a plea of guilty and to enter a plea of not guilty, or setting aside the verdict of guilty, or dismissing the accusation, information, or indictment.

SEC. 43.

 Section 1955 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1955.
 (a) (1) A licensee who fails or refuses to comply with a request for a patient’s dental or dental hygiene records that is accompanied by that patient’s written authorization for release of the records to the dental hygiene board, within 15 days of receiving the request and authorization, shall pay to the dental hygiene board a civil or administrative penalty or fine up to a maximum of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) per day for each day that the documents have not been produced after the 15th day, up to a maximum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) unless the licensee is unable to provide the documents within this time period for good cause.
(2) A health care facility shall comply with a request for the dental or dental hygiene records of a patient that is accompanied by that patient’s written authorization for release of records to the dental hygiene board together with a notice citing this section and describing the penalties for failure to comply with this section. Failure to provide the authorizing patient’s dental hygiene records to the dental hygiene board within 30 days of receiving this request, authorization, and notice shall subject the health care facility to a civil or administrative penalty or fine, payable to the dental hygiene board, of up to a maximum of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) per day for each day that the documents have not been produced after the 30th day, up to a maximum of five thousand dollars ($5,000), unless the health care facility is unable to provide the documents within this time period for good cause. This paragraph shall not require health care facilities to assist the dental hygiene board in obtaining the patient’s authorization. The dental hygiene board shall pay the reasonable cost of copying the dental hygiene records.
(b) (1) A licensee who fails or refuses to comply with a court order issued in the enforcement of a subpoena mandating the release of records to the dental hygiene board shall pay to the dental hygiene board a civil penalty of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per day for each day that the documents have not been produced after the date by which the court order requires the documents to be produced, unless it is determined that the order is unlawful or invalid. Any statute of limitations applicable to the filing of an accusation by the dental hygiene board shall be tolled during the period the licensee is out of compliance with the court order and during any related appeals.
(2) A licensee who fails or refuses to comply with a court order issued in the enforcement of a subpoena mandating the release of records to the dental hygiene board is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine payable to the dental hygiene board not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000). The fine shall be added to the licensee’s renewal fee if it is not paid by the next succeeding renewal date. Any statute of limitations applicable to the filing of an accusation by the dental hygiene board shall be tolled during the period the licensee is out of compliance with the court order and during any related appeals.
(3) A health care facility that fails or refuses to comply with a court order issued in the enforcement of a subpoena mandating the release of patient records to the dental hygiene board, that is accompanied by a notice citing this section and describing the penalties for failure to comply with this section, shall pay to the dental hygiene board a civil penalty of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) per day for each day that the documents have not been produced, up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000), after the date by which the court order requires the documents to be produced, unless it is determined that the order is unlawful or invalid. Any statute of limitations applicable to the filing of an accusation by the dental hygiene board against a licensee shall be tolled during the period the health care facility is out of compliance with the court order and during any related appeals.
(4) A health care facility that fails or refuses to comply with a court order, issued in the enforcement of a subpoena, mandating the release of records to the dental hygiene board is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine payable to the dental hygiene board not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000). Any statute of limitations applicable to the filing of an accusation by the dental hygiene board against a licensee shall be tolled during the period the health care facility is out of compliance with the court order and during any related appeals.
(c) Multiple acts by a licensee in violation of subdivision (b) shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six months, or by both that fine and imprisonment. Multiple acts by a health care facility in violation of subdivision (b) shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) and shall be reported to the State Department of Public Health and shall be considered as grounds for disciplinary action with respect to licensure, including suspension or revocation of the license or permit.
(d) A failure or refusal to comply with a court order issued in the enforcement of a subpoena mandating the release of records to the dental hygiene board constitutes unprofessional conduct and is grounds for suspension or revocation of the person’s license.
(e) Imposition of the civil or administrative penalties authorized by this section shall be in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
(f) For the purposes of this section, a “health care facility” means a clinic or health care facility licensed or exempt from licensure pursuant to Division 2 (commencing with Section 1200) of the Health and Safety Code.

SEC. 44.

 Section 1957 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1957.
 (a) A person whose license has been revoked or suspended, who has been placed on probation, or whose license was surrendered pursuant to a stipulated settlement as a condition to avoid a disciplinary administrative hearing, may petition the dental hygiene board for reinstatement or modification of the penalty, including modification or termination of probation, after a period of not less than the following minimum periods have elapsed from the effective date of the decision ordering disciplinary action:
(1) At least three years for reinstatement of a license revoked for unprofessional conduct or surrendered pursuant to a stipulated settlement as a condition to avoid an administrative disciplinary hearing.
(2) At least two years for early termination, or modification of a condition, of a probation of three years or more.
(3) At least one year for modification of a condition, or reinstatement of a license revoked for mental or physical illness, or termination, or modification of a condition, of a probation of less than three years.
(b) The petition shall state any fact required by the dental hygiene board.
(c) The petition may be heard by the dental hygiene board, or the dental hygiene board may assign the petition to an administrative law judge designated in Section 11371 of the Government Code.
(d) In considering reinstatement or modification or penalty, the dental hygiene board or the administrative law judge hearing the petition may consider the following:
(1) All activities of the petitioner since the disciplinary action was taken.
(2) The offense for which the petitioner was disciplined.
(3) The petitioner’s activities during the time the license or permit was in good standing.
(4) The petitioner’s rehabilitative efforts, general reputation for truth, and professional ability.
(e) The hearing may be continued from time to time as the dental hygiene board or the administrative law judge as designated in Section 11371 of the Government Code finds necessary.
(f) The dental hygiene board or the administrative law judge may impose necessary terms and conditions on the licentiate in reinstating a license or permit or modifying a penalty.
(g) A petition shall not be considered while the petitioner is under sentence for any criminal offense, including any period during which the petitioner is on court-imposed probation or parole.
(h) A petition shall not be considered while there is an accusation or petition to revoke probation pending against the person.
(i) The dental hygiene board may deny without a hearing or argument any petition filed pursuant to this section within a period of two years from the effective date of the prior decision following a hearing under this section. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to alter Sections 822 and 823.

SEC. 45.

 Section 1958 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1958.
 A person, company, or association is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail not less than 10 days nor more than one year, or by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500), or by both that fine and imprisonment, who does any of the following:
(a) Assumes the title of “registered dental hygienist,” “registered dental hygienist in alternative practice,” or “registered dental hygienist in extended functions” or appends the letters “R.D.H.,” “R.D.H.A.P.,” or “R.D.H.E.F.” to the person’s name without having had the right to assume the title conferred upon the person through licensure.
(b) Assumes any title, or appends any letters to the person’s name, with the intent to represent falsely that the person has received a dental hygiene degree or a license under this article.
(c) Engages in the practice of dental hygiene without causing to be displayed in a conspicuous place in the person’s office the person’s license under this article to practice dental hygiene.
(d) Within 10 days after demand is made by the executive officer of the dental hygiene board, fails to furnish to the dental hygiene board the name and address of all persons practicing or assisting in the practice of dental hygiene in the office of the person, company, or association, at any time within 60 days prior to the demand, together with a sworn statement showing under and by what license or authority this person, company, or association and any employees are or have been practicing or assisting in the practice of dental hygiene. This sworn statement shall not be used in any prosecution under this section.
(e) Is under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance while engaged in the practice of dental hygiene in actual attendance on patients to an extent that impairs the licensee’s ability to conduct the practice of dental hygiene with safety to patients and the public.

SEC. 46.

 Section 1958.1 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1958.1.
 (a) Notwithstanding any other law, with regard to an individual who is required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal Code, or the equivalent in another state or territory, under military law, or under federal law, all of the following shall apply:
(1) The dental hygiene board shall deny an application by the individual for licensure pursuant to this article.
(2) If the individual is licensed under this article, the dental hygiene board shall promptly revoke the license of the individual. The dental hygiene board shall not stay the revocation nor place the license on probation.
(3) The dental hygiene board shall not reinstate or reissue the individual’s licensure under this article. The dental hygiene board shall not issue a stay of license denial and place the license on probation.
(b) This section shall not apply to any of the following:
(1) An individual who has been relieved under Section 290.5 of the Penal Code of the individual’s duty to register as a sex offender, or whose duty to register has otherwise been formally terminated under California law or the law of the jurisdiction that requires the individual’s registration as a sex offender.
(2) An individual who is required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal Code solely because of a misdemeanor conviction under Section 314 of the Penal Code. However, nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit the dental hygiene board from exercising its discretion to discipline a licensee under other provisions of state law based upon the licensee’s conviction under Section 314 of the Penal Code.
(3) Any administrative adjudication proceeding under Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code that is fully adjudicated prior to January 1, 2013. A petition for reinstatement of a revoked or surrendered license shall be considered a new proceeding for purposes of this paragraph, and the prohibition against reinstating a license to an individual who is required to register as a sex offender shall be applicable.

SEC. 47.

 Section 1962 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1962.
 (a) An association, partnership, corporation, or group of three or more registered dental hygienists in alternative practice engaging in practice under a name that would otherwise be in violation of Section 1960 may practice under that name if the association, partnership, corporation, or group holds an unexpired, unsuspended, and unrevoked permit issued by the dental hygiene board under this section.
(b) An individual registered dental hygienist in alternative practice or a pair of registered dental hygienists in alternative practice who practice dental hygiene under a name that would otherwise violate Section 1960 may practice under that name if the licensees hold a valid permit issued by the dental hygiene board under this section. The dental hygiene board shall issue a written permit authorizing the holder to use a name specified in the permit in connection with the holder’s practice if the dental hygiene board finds all of the following:
(1) The applicant or applicants are duly licensed registered dental hygienists in alternative practice.
(2) The place where the applicant or applicants practice is owned or leased by the applicant or applicants, and the practice conducted at the place is wholly owned and entirely controlled by the applicant or applicants and is an approved area or practice setting pursuant to Section 1926.
(3) The name under which the applicant or applicants propose to operate contains at least one of the following designations: “dental hygiene group,” “dental hygiene practice,” or “dental hygiene office,” contains the family name of one or more of the past, present, or prospective associates, partners, shareholders, or members of the group, and is in conformity with Section 651 and not in violation of subdivisions (i) and (l) of Section 1950.5.
(4) All licensed persons practicing at the location designated in the application hold valid licenses and no charges of unprofessional conduct are pending against any person practicing at that location.
(c) A permit issued under this section shall expire and become invalid unless renewed in the manner provided for in this article for the renewal of permits issued under this article.
(d) A permit issued under this section may be revoked or suspended if the dental hygiene board finds that any requirement for original issuance of a permit is no longer being fulfilled by the permitholder. Proceedings for revocation or suspension shall be governed by the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
(e) If charges of unprofessional conduct are filed against the holder of a permit issued under this section, or a member of an association, partnership, group, or corporation to whom a permit has been issued under this section, proceedings shall not be commenced for revocation or suspension of the permit until a final determination of the charges of unprofessional conduct, unless the charges have resulted in revocation or suspension of a license.

SEC. 48.

 Section 1963 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1963.
 The dental hygiene board may file a complaint for violation of any part of this article with any court of competent jurisdiction and may, by its officers, counsel, and agents, assist in presenting the law or facts at the trial. The district attorney of each county in this state shall prosecute all violations of this article in their respective counties in which the violations occur.

SEC. 49.

 Section 1964 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1964.
 In addition to the other proceedings provided for in this article, on application of the dental hygiene board, the superior court of any county shall issue an injunction to restrain an unlicensed person from conducting the practice of dental hygiene, as defined in this article.

SEC. 50.

 Section 1966 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1966.
 (a) It is the intent of the Legislature that the dental hygiene board seek ways and means to identify and rehabilitate licensees whose competency may be impaired due to abuse of dangerous drugs or alcohol, so that licensees so afflicted may be treated and returned to the practice of dental hygiene in a manner that will not endanger the public health and safety. It is also the intent of the Legislature that the dental hygiene board establish a diversion program as a voluntary alternative approach to traditional disciplinary actions.
(b) One or more diversion evaluation committees shall be established by the dental hygiene board. The dental hygiene board shall establish criteria for the selection of each diversion evaluation committee. Each member of a diversion evaluation committee shall receive per diem and expenses as provided in Section 103.

SEC. 51.

 Section 1966.1 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1966.1.
 (a) The dental hygiene board shall establish criteria for the acceptance, denial, or termination of licensees in a diversion program. Unless ordered by the dental hygiene board as a condition of a licensee’s disciplinary probation, only those licensees who have voluntarily requested diversion treatment and supervision by a diversion evaluation committee shall participate in a diversion program.
(b) A licensee who is not the subject of a current investigation may self-refer to the diversion program on a confidential basis, except as provided in subdivision (f).
(c) A licensee under current investigation by the dental hygiene board may also request entry into a diversion program by contacting the dental hygiene board. The dental hygiene board may refer the licensee requesting participation in the program to a diversion evaluation committee for evaluation of eligibility. Prior to authorizing a licensee to enter into the diversion program, the dental hygiene board may require the licensee, while under current investigation for any violations of this article or other violations, to execute a statement of understanding that states that the licensee understands that the licensee’s violations of this article or other statutes, that would otherwise be the basis for discipline, may still be investigated and be the subject of disciplinary action.
(d) If the reasons for a current investigation of a licensee are based primarily on the self-administration of any controlled substance or dangerous drugs or alcohol under Section 1951, or the illegal possession, prescription, or nonviolent procurement of any controlled substance or dangerous drugs for self-administration that does not involve actual, direct harm to the public, the dental hygiene board shall close the investigation without further action if the licensee is accepted into the dental hygiene board’s diversion program and successfully completes the requirements of the program. If the licensee withdraws or is terminated from the program by a diversion evaluation committee, the investigation shall be reopened and disciplinary action imposed, if warranted, as determined by the dental hygiene board.
(e) Neither acceptance nor participation in the diversion program shall preclude the dental hygiene board from investigating or continuing to investigate, or taking disciplinary action or continuing to take disciplinary action against, any licensee for any unprofessional conduct committed before, during, or after participation in the diversion program.
(f) All licensees shall sign an agreement of understanding that the withdrawal or termination from the diversion program at a time when a diversion evaluation committee determines the licensee presents a threat to the public’s health and safety shall result in the utilization by the dental hygiene board of diversion treatment records in disciplinary or criminal proceedings.
(g) Any licensee terminated from the diversion program for failure to comply with program requirements is subject to disciplinary action by the dental hygiene board for acts committed before, during, and after participation in the diversion program. A licensee who has been under investigation by the dental hygiene board and has been terminated from the diversion program by a diversion evaluation committee shall be reported by the diversion evaluation committee to the dental hygiene board.

SEC. 52.

 Section 1966.2 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1966.2.
 Each diversion evaluation committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
(a) To evaluate those licensees who request to participate in the diversion program according to the guidelines prescribed by the dental hygiene board and to consider the recommendations of any licensees designated by the dental hygiene board to serve as consultants on the admission of the licensee to the diversion program.
(b) To review and designate those treatment facilities to which licensees in a diversion program may be referred.
(c) To receive and review information concerning a licensee participating in the program.
(d) To consider in the case of each licensee participating in a program whether the licensee may safely continue or resume the practice of dental hygiene.
(e) To perform other related duties as the dental hygiene board may by regulation require.

SEC. 53.

 Section 1966.4 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1966.4.
 Each licensee who requests participation in a diversion program shall agree to cooperate with the treatment program designed by a diversion evaluation committee and to bear all costs related to the program, unless the cost is waived by the dental hygiene board. Any failure to comply with the provisions of a treatment program may result in termination of the licensee’s participation in a program.

SEC. 54.

 Section 1966.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1966.5.
 (a) After a diversion evaluation committee, in its discretion, has determined that a licensee has been rehabilitated and the diversion program is completed, the diversion evaluation committee shall purge and destroy all records pertaining to the licensee’s participation in the diversion program.
(b) Except as authorized by subdivision (f) of Section 1966.1, all dental hygiene board and diversion evaluation committee records and records of proceedings pertaining to the treatment of a licensee in a program shall be kept confidential and are not subject to discovery or subpoena.

SEC. 55.

 Section 1966.6 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

1966.6.
 The dental hygiene board shall provide for the representation of any person making reports to a diversion evaluation committee or the dental hygiene board under this article in any action for defamation for reports or information given to the diversion evaluation committee or the dental hygiene board regarding a licensee’s participation in the diversion program.

SEC. 56.

 Article 8 (commencing with Section 2155) of Chapter 5 of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code is repealed.

SEC. 57.

 Article 11 (commencing with Section 2200) of Chapter 5 of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code is repealed.

SEC. 58.

 Section 2234 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

2234.
 The board shall take action against any licensee who is charged with unprofessional conduct. In addition to other provisions of this article, unprofessional conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(a) Violating or attempting to violate, directly or indirectly, assisting in or abetting the violation of, or conspiring to violate any provision of this chapter.
(b) Gross negligence.
(c) Repeated negligent acts. To be repeated, there must be two or more negligent acts or omissions. An initial negligent act or omission followed by a separate and distinct departure from the applicable standard of care shall constitute repeated negligent acts.
(1) An initial negligent diagnosis followed by an act or omission medically appropriate for that negligent diagnosis of the patient shall constitute a single negligent act.
(2) When the standard of care requires a change in the diagnosis, act, or omission that constitutes the negligent act described in paragraph (1), including, but not limited to, a reevaluation of the diagnosis or a change in treatment, and the licensee’s conduct departs from the applicable standard of care, each departure constitutes a separate and distinct breach of the standard of care.
(d) Incompetence.
(e) The commission of any act involving dishonesty or corruption that is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a physician and surgeon.
(f) Any action or conduct that would have warranted the denial of a certificate.
(g) The repeated failure by a certificate holder, in the absence of good cause, to attend and participate in an interview by the board. This subdivision shall only apply to a certificate holder who is the subject of an investigation by the board.

SEC. 58.5.

 Section 2234 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

2234.
 The board shall take action against any licensee who is charged with unprofessional conduct. In addition to other provisions of this article, unprofessional conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(a) Violating or attempting to violate, directly or indirectly, assisting in or abetting the violation of, or conspiring to violate any provision of this chapter.
(b) Gross negligence.
(c) Repeated negligent acts. To be repeated, there must be two or more negligent acts or omissions. An initial negligent act or omission followed by a separate and distinct departure from the applicable standard of care shall constitute repeated negligent acts.
(1) An initial negligent diagnosis followed by an act or omission medically appropriate for that negligent diagnosis of the patient shall constitute a single negligent act.
(2) When the standard of care requires a change in the diagnosis, act, or omission that constitutes the negligent act described in paragraph (1), including, but not limited to, a reevaluation of the diagnosis or a change in treatment, and the licensee’s conduct departs from the applicable standard of care, each departure constitutes a separate and distinct breach of the standard of care.
(d) Incompetence.
(e) The commission of any act involving dishonesty or corruption that is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of a physician and surgeon.
(f) Any action or conduct that would have warranted the denial of a certificate.
(g) The failure by a certificate holder, in the absence of good cause, to attend and participate in an interview by the board. This subdivision shall only apply to a certificate holder who is the subject of an investigation by the board.

SEC. 59.

 Section 2940 of the Business and Professions Code is repealed.

SEC. 60.

 Section 2940 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:

2940.
 To obtain a license from the board, an applicant shall submit any applications and pay any applicable fees as prescribed in Section 2987. These fees shall not be refunded by the board.

SEC. 61.

 Section 2941 of the Business and Professions Code is repealed.

SEC. 62.

 Section 2941 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:

2941.
 (a) Each applicant for licensure as a psychologist shall take and pass any examination required by the board. An applicant may be examined for knowledge in any theoretical or applied fields of psychology, as well as professional skills and judgment in the use of psychological techniques and methods and the ethical practice of psychology, as the board deems appropriate.
(b) Each applicant shall pay any applicable examination fees as prescribed in Section 2987. These fees shall not be refunded by the board.

SEC. 63.

 Section 4980.36 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4980.36.
 (a) This section shall apply to the following:
(1) Applicants for licensure or registration who begin graduate study before August 1, 2012, and do not complete that study on or before December 31, 2018.
(2) Applicants for licensure or registration who begin graduate study before August 1, 2012, and who graduate from a degree program that meets the requirements of this section.
(3) Applicants for licensure or registration who begin graduate study on or after August 1, 2012.
(b) To qualify for a license or registration, applicants shall possess a doctoral or master’s degree meeting the requirements of this section in marriage, family, and child counseling, marriage and family therapy, couple and family therapy, psychology, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or either counseling or clinical mental health counseling with an emphasis in either marriage, family, and child counseling or marriage and family therapy. The degree shall be obtained from a school, college, or university approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, or accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, or a regional or national institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education. The board has the authority to make the final determination as to whether a degree meets all requirements, including, but not limited to, course requirements, regardless of accreditation or approval.
(c) A doctoral or master’s degree program that qualifies for licensure or registration shall be a single, integrated program that does the following:
(1) Integrate all of the following throughout its curriculum:
(A) Marriage and family therapy principles.
(B) The principles of mental health recovery-oriented care and methods of service delivery in recovery-oriented practice environments, among others.
(C) An understanding of various cultures and the social and psychological implications of socioeconomic position, and an understanding of how poverty and social stress impact an individual’s mental health and recovery.
(2) Allow for innovation and individuality in the education of marriage and family therapists.
(3) Encourage students to develop the personal qualities that are intimately related to effective practice, including, but not limited to, integrity, sensitivity, flexibility, insight, compassion, and personal presence.
(4) Permit an emphasis or specialization that may address any one or more of the unique and complex array of human problems, symptoms, and needs of Californians served by marriage and family therapists.
(5) Provide students with the opportunity to meet with various consumers and family members of consumers of mental health services to enhance understanding of their experience of mental illness, treatment, and recovery.
(d) The degree described in subdivision (b) shall contain no less than 60 semester or 90 quarter units of instruction that includes, but is not limited to, the following requirements:
(1) Both of the following:
(A) No less than 12 semester or 18 quarter units of coursework in theories, principles, and methods of a variety of psychotherapeutic orientations directly related to marriage and family therapy and marital and family systems approaches to treatment and how these theories can be applied therapeutically with individuals, couples, families, adults, including elder adults, children, adolescents, and groups to improve, restore, or maintain healthy relationships.
(B) Practicum that involves direct client contact, as follows:
(i) A minimum of six semester or nine quarter units of practicum in a supervised clinical placement that provides supervised fieldwork experience.
(ii) A minimum of 150 hours of face-to-face experience counseling individuals, couples, families, or groups.
(iii) A student must be enrolled in a practicum course while counseling clients, except as specified in subdivision (c) of Section 4980.42.
(iv) The practicum shall provide training in all of the following areas:
(I) Applied use of theory and psychotherapeutic techniques.
(II) Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning.
(III) Treatment of individuals and premarital, couple, family, and child relationships, including trauma and abuse, dysfunctions, healthy functioning, health promotion, illness prevention, and working with families.
(IV) Professional writing, including documentation of services, treatment plans, and progress notes.
(V) How to connect people with resources that deliver the quality of services and support needed in the community.
(v) Educational institutions are encouraged to design the practicum required by this subparagraph to include marriage and family therapy experience in low income and multicultural mental health settings.
(vi) In addition to the 150 hours required in clause (ii), 75 hours of either of the following, or a combination thereof:
(I) Client centered advocacy, as defined in Section 4980.03.
(II) Face-to-face experience counseling individuals, couples, families, or groups.
(2) Instruction in all of the following:
(A) Diagnosis, assessment, treatment planning, and treatment of mental disorders, including severe mental disorders, evidence-based practices, psychological testing, psychopharmacology, and promising mental health practices that are evaluated in peer-reviewed literature.
(B) Developmental issues from infancy to old age, including instruction in all of the following areas:
(i) The effects of developmental issues on individuals, couples, and family relationships.
(ii) The psychological, psychotherapeutic, and health implications of developmental issues and their effects.
(iii) Aging and its biological, social, cognitive, and psychological aspects. This coursework shall include instruction on the assessment and reporting of, as well as treatment related to, elder and dependent adult abuse and neglect.
(iv) A variety of cultural understandings of human development.
(v) The understanding of human behavior within the social context of socioeconomic status and other contextual issues affecting social position.
(vi) The understanding of human behavior within the social context of a representative variety of the cultures found within California.
(vii) The understanding of the impact that personal and social insecurity, social stress, low educational levels, inadequate housing, and malnutrition have on human development.
(C) The broad range of matters and life events that may arise within marriage and family relationships and within a variety of California cultures, including instruction in all of the following:
(i) A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(ii) Spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, intervention strategies, and same gender abuse dynamics.
(iii) Cultural factors relevant to abuse of partners and family members.
(iv) Childbirth, child rearing, parenting, and stepparenting.
(v) Marriage, divorce, and blended families.
(vi) Long-term care.
(vii) End-of-life and grief.
(viii) Poverty and deprivation.
(ix) Financial and social stress.
(x) Effects of trauma.
(xi) The psychological, psychotherapeutic, community, and health implications of the matters and life events described in clauses (i) to (x), inclusive.
(D) Cultural competency and sensitivity, including a familiarity with the racial, cultural, linguistic, and ethnic backgrounds of persons living in California.
(E) Multicultural development and cross-cultural interaction, including experiences of race, ethnicity, class, spirituality, sexual orientation, gender, and disability, and their incorporation into the psychotherapeutic process.
(F) The effects of socioeconomic status on treatment and available resources.
(G) Resilience, including the personal and community qualities that enable persons to cope with adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or other stresses.
(H) Human sexuality, including the study of physiological, psychological, and social cultural variables associated with sexual behavior and gender identity, and the assessment and treatment of psychosexual dysfunction.
(I) Substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, and addiction, including, but not limited to, instruction in all of the following:
(i) The definition of substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, and addiction. For purposes of this subparagraph, “co-occurring disorders” means a mental illness and substance abuse diagnosis occurring simultaneously in an individual.
(ii) Medical aspects of substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders.
(iii) The effects of psychoactive drug use.
(iv) Current theories of the etiology of substance abuse and addiction.
(v) The role of persons and systems that support or compound substance abuse and addiction.
(vi) Major approaches to identification, evaluation, and treatment of substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, and addiction, including, but not limited to, best practices.
(vii) Legal aspects of substance abuse.
(viii) Populations at risk with regard to substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders.
(ix) Community resources offering screening, assessment, treatment, and follow up for the affected person and family.
(x) Recognition of substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, and addiction, and appropriate referral.
(xi) The prevention of substance use disorders and addiction.
(J) California law and professional ethics for marriage and family therapists, including instruction in all of the following areas of study:
(i) Contemporary professional ethics and statutory, regulatory, and decisional laws that delineate the scope of practice of marriage and family therapy.
(ii) The therapeutic, clinical, and practical considerations involved in the legal and ethical practice of marriage and family therapy, including, but not limited to, family law.
(iii) The current legal patterns and trends in the mental health professions.
(iv) The psychotherapist-patient privilege, confidentiality, the patient dangerous to self or others, and the treatment of minors with and without parental consent.
(v) A recognition and exploration of the relationship between a practitioner’s sense of self and human values and the practitioner’s professional behavior and ethics.
(vi) The application of legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings.
(vii) Licensing law and licensing process.
(e) The degree described in subdivision (b) shall, in addition to meeting the requirements of subdivision (d), include instruction in case management, systems of care for the severely mentally ill, public and private services and supports available for the severely mentally ill, community resources for persons with mental illness and for victims of abuse, disaster and trauma response, advocacy for the severely mentally ill, and collaborative treatment. This instruction may be provided either in credit level coursework or through extension programs offered by the degree-granting institution.
(f) The changes made to law by this section are intended to improve the educational qualifications for licensure in order to better prepare future licentiates for practice, and are not intended to expand or restrict the scope of practice for marriage and family therapists.

SEC. 64.

 Section 4980.37 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4980.37.
 (a) This section shall apply to applicants for licensure or registration who began graduate study before August 1, 2012, and completed that study on or before December 31, 2018. Those applicants may alternatively qualify under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 4980.36.
(b) To qualify for a license or registration, applicants shall possess a doctoral or master’s degree in marriage, family, and child counseling, marriage and family therapy, couple and family therapy, psychology, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or either counseling or clinical mental health counseling with an emphasis in either marriage, family, and child counseling or marriage and family therapy. The degree shall be obtained from a school, college, or university accredited by a regional or national institutional accrediting agency that is recognized by the United States Department of Education or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. The board has the authority to make the final determination as to whether a degree meets all requirements, including, but not limited to, course requirements, regardless of accreditation or approval. In order to qualify for licensure pursuant to this section, a doctoral or master’s degree program shall be a single, integrated program primarily designed to train marriage and family therapists and shall contain no less than 48 semester units or 72 quarter units of instruction. This instruction shall include no less than 12 semester units or 18 quarter units of coursework in the areas of marriage, family, and child counseling, and marital and family systems approaches to treatment. The coursework shall include all of the following areas:
(1) The salient theories of a variety of psychotherapeutic orientations directly related to marriage and family therapy, and marital and family systems approaches to treatment.
(2) Theories of marriage and family therapy and how they can be utilized in order to intervene therapeutically with couples, families, adults, children, and groups.
(3) Developmental issues and life events from infancy to old age and their effect on individuals, couples, and family relationships. This may include coursework that focuses on specific family life events and the psychological, psychotherapeutic, and health implications that arise within couples and families, including, but not limited to, childbirth, child rearing, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, marriage, divorce, blended families, stepparenting, abuse and neglect of older and dependent adults, and geropsychology.
(4) A variety of approaches to the treatment of children.
The board shall, by regulation, set forth the subjects of instruction required in this subdivision.
(c) (1) In addition to the 12 semester or 18 quarter units of coursework specified in subdivision (b), the doctoral or master’s degree program shall contain not less than six semester units or nine quarter units of supervised practicum in applied psychotherapeutic technique, assessments, diagnosis, treatment planning, and treatment of premarital, couple, family, and child relationships, including dysfunctions, healthy functioning, health promotion, and illness prevention, in a supervised clinical placement that provides supervised fieldwork experience within the scope of practice of a marriage and family therapist.
(2) For applicants who enrolled in a degree program on or after January 1, 1995, the practicum shall include a minimum of 150 hours of face-to-face experience counseling individuals, couples, families, or groups.
(3) The practicum hours shall be considered as part of the 48 semester or 72 quarter unit requirement.
(d) As an alternative to meeting the qualifications specified in subdivision (b), the board shall accept as equivalent degrees those master’s or doctoral degrees granted by educational institutions whose degree program is approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education.
(e) In order to provide an integrated course of study and appropriate professional training, while allowing for innovation and individuality in the education of marriage and family therapists, a degree program that meets the educational qualifications for licensure or registration under this section shall do all of the following:
(1) Provide an integrated course of study that trains students generally in the diagnosis, assessment, treatment planning, and treatment of mental disorders.
(2) Prepare students to be familiar with the broad range of matters that may arise within marriage and family relationships.
(3) Train students specifically in the application of marriage and family relationship counseling principles and methods.
(4) Encourage students to develop those personal qualities that are intimately related to the counseling situation such as integrity, sensitivity, flexibility, insight, compassion, and personal presence.
(5) Teach students a variety of effective psychotherapeutic techniques and modalities that may be utilized to improve, restore, or maintain healthy individual, couple, and family relationships.
(6) Permit an emphasis or specialization that may address any one or more of the unique and complex array of human problems, symptoms, and needs of Californians served by marriage and family therapists.
(7) Prepare students to be familiar with cross-cultural mores and values, including a familiarity with the wide range of racial and ethnic backgrounds common among California’s population, including, but not limited to, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans.
(f) Educational institutions are encouraged to design the practicum required by this section to include marriage and family therapy experience in low income and multicultural mental health settings.

SEC. 65.

 Section 4980.395 of the Business and Professions Code is repealed.

SEC. 66.

 Section 4980.43.4 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4980.43.4.
 (a) A trainee, associate, or applicant for licensure shall only perform mental health and related services at the places where their employer permits business to be conducted.
(b) An associate who is employed or volunteering in a private practice shall be supervised by an individual who is employed by, and shall practice at the same site as, the associate’s employer. Alternatively, the supervisor may be an owner of the private practice. However, if the site is incorporated, the supervisor must be employed full-time at the site and be actively engaged in performing professional services at the site.
(c) A supervisor at a private practice or a corporation shall not supervise more than a total of three supervisees at any one time. Supervisees may be registered as an associate marriage and family therapist, an associate professional clinical counselor, or an associate clinical social worker.
(d) In a setting that is not a private practice:
(1) A written oversight agreement, as specified by regulation, shall be executed between the supervisor and employer when the supervisor is not employed by the supervisee’s employer or is a volunteer.
(2) A supervisor shall evaluate the site or sites where a trainee or associate will be gaining experience to determine that the site or sites comply with the requirements set forth in this chapter.
(e) Alternative supervision may be arranged during a supervisor’s vacation or sick leave if the alternative supervision meets the requirements in this chapter and regulation.

SEC. 67.

 Section 4980.50 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4980.50.
 (a) Every applicant who meets the educational and experience requirements and applies for a license as a marriage and family therapist shall be examined by the board. The examinations shall be as set forth in subdivision (d) of Section 4980.40. The examinations shall be given at least twice a year at a time and place and under supervision as the board may determine. The board shall examine the candidate with regard to the candidate’s knowledge and professional skills and judgment in the utilization of appropriate techniques and methods.
(b) The board shall not deny any applicant who has submitted a complete application for examination, admission to the licensure examinations required by this section if the applicant meets the educational and experience requirements of this chapter, and has not committed any acts or engaged in any conduct that would constitute grounds to deny licensure.
(c) The board shall not deny any applicant, whose application for licensure is complete, admission to the clinical examination, nor shall the board postpone or delay any applicant’s clinical examination, solely upon the receipt by the board of a complaint alleging acts or conduct that would constitute grounds to deny licensure.
(d) If an applicant for examination who has passed the California law and ethics examination is the subject of a complaint or is under board investigation for acts or conduct that, if proven to be true, would constitute grounds for the board to deny licensure, the board shall permit the applicant to take the clinical examination for licensure, but may notify the applicant that licensure will not be granted pending completion of the investigation.
(e) Notwithstanding Section 135, the board may deny any applicant who has previously failed either the California law and ethics examination or the clinical examination permission to retake either examination pending completion of the investigation of any complaints against the applicant. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the board from denying an applicant admission to any examination or refusing to issue a license to any applicant when an accusation or statement of issues has been filed against the applicant pursuant to Sections 11503 and 11504 of the Government Code, respectively, or the applicant has been denied in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 485.
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the board may destroy all examination materials two years following the date of an examination.
(g) An applicant for licensure shall not be eligible to participate in the clinical examination if the applicant fails to obtain a passing score on the clinical examination within seven years from their initial attempt, unless the applicant takes and obtains a passing score on the current version of the California law and ethics examination.
(h) A passing score on the clinical examination shall be accepted by the board for a period of seven years from the date the examination was taken.
(i) An applicant for licensure who has qualified pursuant to this chapter shall be issued a license as a marriage and family therapist in the form that the board deems appropriate.

SEC. 68.

 Section 4980.81 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4980.81.
 This section applies to persons subject to Section 4980.78 or 4980.79, who apply for licensure or registration on or after January 2016.
(a) For purposes of Sections 4980.78 and 4980.79, an applicant shall meet all of the following educational requirements:
(1) A minimum of two semester units of instruction in the diagnosis, assessment, treatment planning, and treatment of mental disorders, including severe mental disorders, evidence-based practices, and promising mental health practices that are evaluated in peer-reviewed literature.
(2) At least one semester unit or 15 hours of instruction in psychological testing and at least one semester unit or 15 hours of instruction in psychopharmacology.
(3) (A) Developmental issues from infancy to old age, including demonstration of at least one semester unit, or 15 hours, of instruction that includes all of the following subjects:
(i) The effects of developmental issues on individuals, couples, and family relationships.
(ii) The psychological, psychotherapeutic, and health implications of developmental issues and their effects.
(iii) The understanding of the impact that personal and social insecurity, social stress, low educational levels, inadequate housing, and malnutrition have on human development.
(B) An applicant who is deficient in any of these subjects may remediate the coursework by completing three hours of instruction in each deficient subject.
(4) (A) The broad range of matters and life events that may arise within marriage and family relationships and within a variety of California cultures, including instruction in all of the following:
(i) A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28 and any regulations promulgated under that section.
(ii) A minimum of 10 contact hours of coursework that includes all of the following:
(I) The assessment and reporting of, as well as treatment related to, elder and dependent adult abuse and neglect.
(II) Aging and its biological, social, cognitive, and psychological aspects.
(III) Long-term care.
(IV) End-of-life and grief.
(iii) A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, intervention strategies, and same-gender abuse dynamics.
(iv) Cultural factors relevant to abuse of partners and family members.
(v) Childbirth, child rearing, parenting, and stepparenting.
(vi) Marriage, divorce, and blended families.
(vii) Poverty and deprivation.
(viii) Financial and social stress.
(ix) Effects of trauma.
(x) The psychological, psychotherapeutic, community, and health implications of the matters and life events described in clauses (i) to (ix), inclusive.
(5) At least one semester unit, or 15 hours, of instruction in multicultural development and cross-cultural interaction, including experiences of race, ethnicity, class, spirituality, sexual orientation, gender, and disability, and their incorporation into the psychotherapeutic process.
(6) A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality, as specified in Section 25 and any regulations promulgated under that section, including the study of physiological, psychological, and social cultural variables associated with sexual behavior and gender identity, and the assessment and treatment of psychosexual dysfunction.
(7) A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework in substance use disorders, and a minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework in co-occurring disorders and addiction. The following subjects shall be included in this coursework:
(A) The definition of substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, and addiction. For purposes of this subparagraph, “co-occurring disorders” means a mental illness and substance abuse diagnosis occurring simultaneously in an individual.
(B) Medical aspects of substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders.
(C) The effects of psychoactive drug use.
(D) Current theories of the etiology of substance abuse and addiction.
(E) The role of persons and systems that support or compound substance abuse and addiction.
(F) Major approaches to identification, evaluation, and treatment of substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, and addiction, including, but not limited to, best practices.
(G) Legal aspects of substance abuse.
(H) Populations at risk with regard to substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders.
(I) Community resources offering screening, assessment, treatment, and followup for the affected person and family.
(J) Recognition of substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, and addiction, and appropriate referral.
(K) The prevention of substance use disorders and addiction.
(8) A minimum of a two semester or three quarter unit course in law and professional ethics for marriage and family therapists, including instruction in all of the following subjects:
(A) Contemporary professional ethics and statutory, regulatory, and decisional laws that delineate the scope of practice of marriage and family therapy.
(B) The therapeutic, clinical, and practical considerations involved in the legal and ethical practice of marriage and family therapy, including, but not limited to, family law.
(C) The current legal patterns and trends in the mental health professions.
(D) The psychotherapist-patient privilege, confidentiality, the patient dangerous to self or others, and the treatment of minors with and without parental consent.
(E) A recognition and exploration of the relationship between a practitioner’s sense of self and human values and their professional behavior and ethics.
(F) Differences in legal and ethical standards for different types of work settings.
(G) Licensing law and licensing process.

SEC. 68.5.

 Section 4980.81 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4980.81.
 This section applies to persons subject to Section 4980.78 who apply for licensure or registration.
(a) For purposes of Section 4980.78, an applicant shall meet all of the following educational requirements:
(1) A minimum of two semester units of instruction in the diagnosis, assessment, treatment planning, and treatment of mental disorders, including severe mental disorders, evidence-based practices, and promising mental health practices that are evaluated in peer-reviewed literature.
(2) At least one semester unit or 15 hours of instruction in psychological testing and at least one semester unit or 15 hours of instruction in psychopharmacology.
(3) (A) Developmental issues from infancy to old age, including demonstration of at least one semester unit, or 15 hours, of instruction that includes all of the following subjects:
(i) The effects of developmental issues on individuals, couples, and family relationships.
(ii) The psychological, psychotherapeutic, and health implications of developmental issues and their effects.
(iii) The understanding of the impact that personal and social insecurity, social stress, low educational levels, inadequate housing, and malnutrition have on human development.
(B) An applicant who is deficient in any of these subjects may remediate the coursework by completing three hours of instruction in each deficient subject.
(4) (A) The broad range of matters and life events that may arise within marriage and family relationships and within a variety of California cultures, including instruction in all of the following:
(i) A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28 and any regulations promulgated under that section.
(ii) A minimum of 10 contact hours of coursework that includes all of the following:
(I) The assessment and reporting of, as well as treatment related to, elder and dependent adult abuse and neglect.
(II) Aging and its biological, social, cognitive, and psychological aspects.
(III) Long-term care.
(IV) End-of-life and grief.
(iii) A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, intervention strategies, and same-gender abuse dynamics.
(iv) Cultural factors relevant to abuse of partners and family members.
(v) Childbirth, child rearing, parenting, and stepparenting.
(vi) Marriage, divorce, and blended families.
(vii) Poverty and deprivation.
(viii) Financial and social stress.
(ix) Effects of trauma.
(x) The psychological, psychotherapeutic, community, and health implications of the matters and life events described in clauses (i) to (ix), inclusive.
(5) At least one semester unit, or 15 hours, of instruction in multicultural development and cross-cultural interaction, including experiences of race, ethnicity, class, spirituality, sexual orientation, gender, and disability, and their incorporation into the psychotherapeutic process.
(6) A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality, as specified in Section 25 and any regulations promulgated under that section, including the study of physiological, psychological, and social cultural variables associated with sexual behavior and gender identity, and the assessment and treatment of psychosexual dysfunction.
(7) A minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework in substance use disorders, and a minimum of 15 contact hours of coursework in co-occurring disorders and addiction. The following subjects shall be included in this coursework:
(A) The definition of substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, and addiction. For purposes of this subparagraph, “co-occurring disorders” means a mental illness and substance abuse diagnosis occurring simultaneously in an individual.
(B) Medical aspects of substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders.
(C) The effects of psychoactive drug use.
(D) Current theories of the etiology of substance abuse and addiction.
(E) The role of persons and systems that support or compound substance abuse and addiction.
(F) Major approaches to identification, evaluation, and treatment of substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, and addiction, including, but not limited to, best practices.
(G) Legal aspects of substance abuse.
(H) Populations at risk with regard to substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders.
(I) Community resources offering screening, assessment, treatment, and followup for the affected person and family.
(J) Recognition of substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, and addiction, and appropriate referral.
(K) The prevention of substance use disorders and addiction.
(8) A minimum of a two semester or three quarter unit course in law and professional ethics for marriage and family therapists, including instruction in all of the following subjects:
(A) Contemporary professional ethics and statutory, regulatory, and decisional laws that delineate the scope of practice of marriage and family therapy.
(B) The therapeutic, clinical, and practical considerations involved in the legal and ethical practice of marriage and family therapy, including, but not limited to, family law.
(C) The current legal patterns and trends in the mental health professions.
(D) The psychotherapist-patient privilege, confidentiality, the patient dangerous to self or others, and the treatment of minors with and without parental consent.
(E) A recognition and exploration of the relationship between a practitioner’s sense of self and human values and their professional behavior and ethics.
(F) The application of legal and ethical standards in different types of work settings.
(G) Licensing law and licensing process.

SEC. 69.

 Section 4989.22 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4989.22.
 (a) Only persons who satisfy the requirements of Section 4989.20 are eligible to take the licensure examination.
(b) An applicant who fails the written examination may, within one year from the notification date of failure, retake the examination as regularly scheduled without further application. Thereafter, the applicant shall not be eligible for further examination until the applicant files a new application, meets all current requirements, and pays all fees required.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the board may destroy all examination materials two years after the date of an examination.
(d) The board shall not deny any applicant, whose application for licensure is complete, admission to the written examination, nor shall the board postpone or delay any applicant’s written examination, solely upon the receipt by the board of a complaint alleging acts or conduct that would constitute grounds to deny licensure.
(e) Notwithstanding Section 135, the board may deny any applicant who has previously failed the written examination permission to retake the examination pending completion of the investigation of any complaint against the applicant. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the board from denying an applicant admission to any examination, withholding the results, or refusing to issue a license to any applicant when an accusation or statement of issues has been filed against the applicant pursuant to Section 11503 or 11504 of the Government Code, or the applicant has been denied in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 485.

SEC. 70.

 Section 4990.30 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4990.30.
 (a) A licensed marriage and family therapist, associate marriage and family therapist, licensed clinical social worker, associate clinical social worker, licensed professional clinical counselor, associate professional clinical counselor, or licensed educational psychologist whose license or registration has been revoked, suspended, or placed on probation, may petition the board for reinstatement or modification of the penalty, including modification or termination of probation. The petition shall be on a form provided by the board and shall state any facts and information as may be required by the board including, but not limited to, proof of compliance with the terms and conditions of the underlying disciplinary order. The petition shall be verified by the petitioner who shall file an original and sufficient copies of the petition, together with any supporting documents, for the members of the board, the administrative law judge, and the Attorney General.
(b) The licensee or registrant may file the petition on or after the expiration of the following timeframes, each of which commences on the effective date of the decision ordering the disciplinary action or, if the order of the board, or any portion of it, is stayed by the board itself or by the superior court, from the date the disciplinary action is actually implemented in its entirety:
(1) Three years for reinstatement of a license or registration that was revoked for unprofessional conduct, except that the board may, in its sole discretion, specify in its revocation order that a petition for reinstatement may be filed after two years. A registrant who is ineligible for reinstatement pursuant to Section 4984.01, 4996.28, or 4999.100 may apply for a subsequent registration number.
(2) Two years for early termination of any probation period of three years or more.
(3) One year for modification of a condition, reinstatement of a license or registration revoked for mental or physical illness, or termination of probation of less than three years. A registrant who is ineligible for reinstatement pursuant to Section 4984.01, 4996.28, or 4999.100 may apply for a subsequent registration number.
(c) The petition may be heard by the board itself or the board may assign the petition to an administrative law judge pursuant to Section 11512 of the Government Code.
(d) The petitioner may request that the board schedule the hearing on the petition for a board meeting at a specific city where the board regularly meets.
(e) The petitioner and the Attorney General shall be given timely notice by letter of the time and place of the hearing on the petition and an opportunity to present both oral and documentary evidence and argument to the board or the administrative law judge.
(f) The petitioner shall at all times have the burden of production and proof to establish by clear and convincing evidence that they are entitled to the relief sought in the petition.
(g) The board, when it is hearing the petition itself, or an administrative law judge sitting for the board, may consider all activities of the petitioner since the disciplinary action was taken, the offense for which the petitioner was disciplined, the petitioner’s activities during the time their license or registration was in good standing, and the petitioner’s rehabilitative efforts, general reputation for truth, and professional ability.
(h) The hearing may be continued from time to time as the board or the administrative law judge deems appropriate but in no case may the hearing on the petition be delayed more than 180 days from its filing without the consent of the petitioner.
(i) The board itself, or the administrative law judge if one is designated by the board, shall hear the petition and shall prepare a written decision setting forth the reasons supporting the decision. In a decision granting a petition reinstating a license or modifying a penalty, the board itself, or the administrative law judge, may impose any terms and conditions that the agency deems reasonably appropriate, including those set forth in Sections 823 and 4990.40. If a petition is heard by an administrative law judge sitting alone, the administrative law judge shall prepare a proposed decision and submit it to the board. The board may take action with respect to the proposed decision and petition as it deems appropriate.
(j) The petitioner shall pay a fingerprinting fee and provide a current set of their fingerprints to the board. The petitioner shall execute a form authorizing release to the board or its designee, of all information concerning the petitioner’s current physical and mental condition. Information provided to the board pursuant to the release shall be confidential and shall not be subject to discovery or subpoena in any other proceeding, and shall not be admissible in any action, other than before the board, to determine the petitioner’s fitness to practice as required by Section 822.
(k) The board may delegate to its executive officer authority to order investigation of the contents of the petition.
(l) No petition shall be considered while the petitioner is under sentence for any criminal offense, including any period during which the petitioner is on court-imposed probation or parole or the petitioner is required to register pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal Code. No petition shall be considered while there is an accusation or petition to revoke probation pending against the petitioner.
(m) Except in those cases where the petitioner has been disciplined for violation of Section 822, the board may in its discretion deny without hearing or argument any petition that is filed pursuant to this section within a period of two years from the effective date of a prior decision following a hearing under this section.

SEC. 71.

 Section 4992.1 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4992.1.
 (a) Only individuals who have the qualifications prescribed by the board under this chapter are eligible to take an examination under this chapter.
(b) Every applicant who is issued a clinical social worker license shall be examined by the board.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the board may destroy all examination materials two years following the date of an examination.
(d) The board shall not deny any applicant, whose application for licensure is complete, admission to the clinical examination, nor shall the board postpone or delay any applicant’s clinical examination, solely upon the receipt by the board of a complaint alleging acts or conduct that would constitute grounds to deny licensure.
(e) If an applicant for examination who has passed the California law and ethics examination is the subject of a complaint or is under board investigation for acts or conduct that, if proven to be true, would constitute grounds for the board to deny licensure, the board shall permit the applicant to take the clinical examination for licensure, but may notify the applicant that licensure will not be granted pending completion of the investigation.
(f) Notwithstanding Section 135, the board may deny any applicant who has previously failed either the California law and ethics examination or the clinical examination permission to retake either examination pending completion of the investigation of any complaint against the applicant. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the board from denying an applicant admission to any examination, or refusing to issue a license to any applicant when an accusation or statement of issues has been filed against the applicant pursuant to Section 11503 or 11504 of the Government Code, or the applicant has been denied in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 485.
(g) An applicant shall not be eligible to participate in the clinical examination if the applicant fails to obtain a passing score on the clinical examination within seven years from their initial attempt, unless the applicant takes and obtains a passing score on the current version of the California law and ethics examination.
(h) A passing score on the clinical examination shall be accepted by the board for a period of seven years from the date the examination was taken.

SEC. 72.

 Section 4996.23.3 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4996.23.3.
 (a) An associate clinical social worker or an applicant for licensure shall only perform mental health and related services at the places where their employer permits business to be conducted.
(b)  An associate who is employed or volunteering in a private practice shall be supervised by an individual who is employed by, and shall practice at the same site as, the associate’s employer. Alternatively, the supervisor may be an owner of the private practice. However, if the site is incorporated, the supervisor must be employed full-time at the site and be actively engaged in performing professional services at the site.
(c) A supervisor at a private practice or a corporation shall not supervise more than a total of three supervisees at any one time. A supervisee may be registered as an associate marriage and family therapist, an associate professional clinical counselor, or an associate clinical social worker.
(d) In a setting that is not a private practice:
(1) A written oversight agreement, as specified by regulation, shall be executed between the supervisor and employer when the supervisor is not employed by the supervisee’s employer or is a volunteer.
(2) A supervisor shall evaluate the site or sites where an associate clinical social worker will be gaining experience to determine that the site or sites are in compliance with the requirements set forth in this chapter and regulations.
(e) Alternative supervision may be arranged during a supervisor’s vacation or sick leave if the alternative supervision meets the requirements in this chapter and by regulation.

SEC. 73.

 Section 4999.32 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4999.32.
 (a) This section shall apply to applicants for licensure or registration who began graduate study before August 1, 2012, and completed that study on or before December 31, 2018. Those applicants may alternatively qualify under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 4999.33.
(b) To qualify for licensure or registration, applicants shall possess a master’s or doctoral degree that is counseling or psychotherapy in content and that meets the requirements of this section, obtained from an accredited or approved institution, as defined in Section 4999.12. For purposes of this subdivision, a degree is “counseling or psychotherapy in content” if it contains the supervised practicum or field study experience described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) and, except as provided in subdivision (d), the coursework in the core content areas listed in subparagraphs (A) to (I), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).
(c) The degree described in subdivision (b) shall be a single, integrated program that contains not less than 48 graduate semester units or 72 graduate quarter units of instruction, which shall, except as provided in subdivision (d), include all of the following:
(1) The equivalent of at least three semester units or four quarter units of graduate study in each of the following core content areas:
(A) Counseling and psychotherapeutic theories and techniques, including the counseling process in a multicultural society, an orientation to wellness and prevention, counseling theories to assist in selection of appropriate counseling interventions, models of counseling consistent with current professional research and practice, development of a personal model of counseling, and multidisciplinary responses to crises, emergencies, and disasters.
(B) Human growth and development across the lifespan, including normal and abnormal behavior and an understanding of developmental crises, disability, psychopathology, and situational and environmental factors that affect both normal and abnormal behavior.
(C) Career development theories and techniques, including career development decisionmaking models and interrelationships among and between work, family, and other life roles and factors, including the role of multicultural issues in career development.
(D) Group counseling theories and techniques, including principles of group dynamics, group process components, developmental stage theories, therapeutic factors of group work, group leadership styles and approaches, pertinent research and literature, group counseling methods, and evaluation of effectiveness.
(E) Assessment, appraisal, and testing of individuals, including basic concepts of standardized and nonstandardized testing and other assessment techniques, norm-referenced and criterion-referenced assessment, statistical concepts, social and cultural factors related to assessment and evaluation of individuals and groups, and ethical strategies for selecting, administering, and interpreting assessment instruments and techniques in counseling.
(F) Multicultural counseling theories and techniques, including counselors’ roles in developing cultural self-awareness, identity development, promoting cultural social justice, individual and community strategies for working with and advocating for diverse populations, and counselors’ roles in eliminating biases and prejudices, and processes of intentional and unintentional oppression and discrimination.
(G) Principles of the diagnostic process, including differential diagnosis, and the use of current diagnostic tools, such as the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the impact of co-occurring substance use disorders or medical psychological disorders, established diagnostic criteria for mental or emotional disorders, and the treatment modalities and placement criteria within the continuum of care.
(H) Research and evaluation, including studies that provide an understanding of research methods, statistical analysis, the use of research to inform evidence-based practice, the importance of research in advancing the profession of counseling, and statistical methods used in conducting research, needs assessment, and program evaluation.
(I) Professional orientation, ethics, and law in counseling, including professional ethical standards and legal considerations, licensing law and process, regulatory laws that delineate the profession’s scope of practice, counselor-client privilege, confidentiality, the client dangerous to self or others, treatment of minors with or without parental consent, relationship between practitioner’s sense of self and human values, functions and relationships with other human service providers, strategies for collaboration, and advocacy processes needed to address institutional and social barriers that impede access, equity, and success for clients.
(2) In addition to the course requirements described in paragraph (1), a minimum of 12 semester units or 18 quarter units of advanced coursework to develop knowledge of specific treatment issues, special populations, application of counseling constructs, assessment and treatment planning, clinical interventions, therapeutic relationships, psychopathology, or other clinical topics.
(3) Not less than six semester units or nine quarter units of supervised practicum or field study experience that involves direct client contact in a clinical setting that provides a range of professional clinical counseling experience, including the following:
(A) Applied psychotherapeutic techniques.
(B) Assessment.
(C) Diagnosis.
(D) Treatment planning.
(E) Treatment.
(F) Issues of development, adjustment, and maladjustment.
(G) Health and wellness promotion.
(H) Other recognized counseling interventions.
(I) A minimum of 150 hours of face-to-face supervised clinical experience counseling individuals, families, or groups.
(d) (1) (A) An applicant whose degree is deficient in no more than two of the required areas of study listed in subparagraphs (A) to (I), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) may satisfy those deficiencies by successfully completing postmaster’s or postdoctoral degree coursework at an accredited or approved institution, as defined in Section 4999.12.
(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), an applicant shall not be deficient in the required areas of study specified in subparagraph (E) or (G) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) unless the applicant meets one of the following criteria and remediates the deficiency:
(i) The application for licensure was received by the board on or before August 31, 2020.
(ii) The application for registration was received by the board on or before August 31, 2020, and the registration was subsequently issued by the board.
(2) Coursework taken to meet deficiencies in the required areas of study listed in subparagraphs (A) to (I), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) shall be the equivalent of three semester units or four quarter units of study.
(3) The board shall make the final determination as to whether a degree meets all requirements, including, but not limited to, course requirements, regardless of accreditation.
(e) In addition to the degree described in this section, or as part of that degree, an applicant shall complete the following coursework or training prior to registration as an associate:
(1) A minimum of 15 contact hours of instruction in alcoholism and other chemical substance abuse dependency, as specified by regulation.
(2) A minimum of 10 contact hours of training or coursework in human sexuality as specified in Section 25, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(3) A two semester unit or three quarter unit survey course in psychopharmacology.
(4) A minimum of 15 contact hours of instruction in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies, including knowledge of community resources, cultural factors, and same gender abuse dynamics.
(5) A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting as specified in Section 28 and any regulations adopted thereunder.
(6) A minimum of 18 contact hours of instruction in California law and professional ethics for professional clinical counselors that includes, but is not limited to, instruction in advertising, scope of practice, scope of competence, treatment of minors, confidentiality, dangerous clients, psychotherapist-client privilege, recordkeeping, client access to records, dual relationships, child abuse, elder and dependent adult abuse, online therapy, insurance reimbursement, civil liability, disciplinary actions and unprofessional conduct, ethics complaints and ethical standards, termination of therapy, standards of care, relevant family law, therapist disclosures to clients, and state and federal laws related to confidentiality of patient health information. When coursework in a master’s or doctoral degree program is acquired to satisfy this requirement, it shall be considered as part of the 48 semester unit or 72 quarter unit requirement in subdivision (c).
(7) A minimum of 10 contact hours of instruction in aging and long-term care, which may include, but is not limited to, the biological, social, and psychological aspects of aging. On and after January 1, 2012, this coursework shall include instruction on the assessment and reporting of, as well as treatment related to, elder and dependent adult abuse and neglect.
(8) A minimum of 15 contact hours of instruction in crisis or trauma counseling, including multidisciplinary responses to crises, emergencies, or disasters, and brief, intermediate, and long-term approaches.

SEC. 74.

 Section 4999.33 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4999.33.
 (a) This section shall apply to the following:
(1) Applicants for licensure or registration who begin graduate study before August 1, 2012, and do not complete that study on or before December 31, 2018.
(2) Applicants for licensure or registration who begin graduate study before August 1, 2012, and who graduate from a degree program that meets the requirements of this section.
(3) Applicants for licensure or registration who begin graduate study on or after August 1, 2012.
(b) To qualify for licensure or registration, applicants shall possess a master’s or doctoral degree that is counseling or psychotherapy in content and that meets the requirements of this section, obtained from an accredited or approved institution, as defined in Section 4999.12. For purposes of this subdivision, a degree is “counseling or psychotherapy in content” if it contains the supervised practicum or field study experience described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) and, except as provided in subdivision (f), the coursework in the core content areas listed in subparagraphs (A) to (M), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).
(c) The degree described in subdivision (b) shall be a single, integrated program that contains not less than 60 graduate semester units or 90 graduate quarter units of instruction, which shall, except as provided in subdivision (f), include all of the following:
(1) The equivalent of at least three semester units or four quarter units of graduate study in all of the following core content areas:
(A) Counseling and psychotherapeutic theories and techniques, including the counseling process in a multicultural society, an orientation to wellness and prevention, counseling theories to assist in selection of appropriate counseling interventions, models of counseling consistent with current professional research and practice, development of a personal model of counseling, and multidisciplinary responses to crises, emergencies, and disasters.
(B) Human growth and development across the lifespan, including normal and abnormal behavior and an understanding of developmental crises, disability, psychopathology, and situational and environmental factors that affect both normal and abnormal behavior.
(C) Career development theories and techniques, including career development decisionmaking models and interrelationships among and between work, family, and other life roles and factors, including the role of multicultural issues in career development.
(D) Group counseling theories and techniques, including principles of group dynamics, group process components, group developmental stage theories, therapeutic factors of group work, group leadership styles and approaches, pertinent research and literature, group counseling methods, and evaluation of effectiveness.
(E) Assessment, appraisal, and testing of individuals, including basic concepts of standardized and nonstandardized testing and other assessment techniques, norm-referenced and criterion-referenced assessment, statistical concepts, social and cultural factors related to assessment and evaluation of individuals and groups, and ethical strategies for selecting, administering, and interpreting assessment instruments and techniques in counseling.
(F) Multicultural counseling theories and techniques, including counselors’ roles in developing cultural self-awareness, identity development, promoting cultural social justice, individual and community strategies for working with and advocating for diverse populations, and counselors’ roles in eliminating biases and prejudices, and processes of intentional and unintentional oppression and discrimination.
(G) Principles of the diagnostic process, including differential diagnosis, and the use of current diagnostic tools, such as the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the impact of co-occurring substance use disorders or medical psychological disorders, established diagnostic criteria for mental or emotional disorders, and the treatment modalities and placement criteria within the continuum of care.
(H) Research and evaluation, including studies that provide an understanding of research methods, statistical analysis, the use of research to inform evidence-based practice, the importance of research in advancing the profession of counseling, and statistical methods used in conducting research, needs assessment, and program evaluation.
(I) Professional orientation, ethics, and law in counseling, including California law and professional ethics for professional clinical counselors, professional ethical standards and legal considerations, licensing law and process, regulatory laws that delineate the profession’s scope of practice, counselor-client privilege, confidentiality, the client dangerous to self or others, treatment of minors with or without parental consent, relationship between practitioner’s sense of self and human values, functions and relationships with other human service providers, strategies for collaboration, and advocacy processes needed to address institutional and social barriers that impede access, equity, and success for clients.
(J) Psychopharmacology, including the biological bases of behavior, basic classifications, indications, and contraindications of commonly prescribed psychopharmacological medications so that appropriate referrals can be made for medication evaluations and so that the side effects of those medications can be identified.
(K) Addictions counseling, including substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, and addiction, major approaches to identification, evaluation, treatment, and prevention of substance abuse and addiction, legal and medical aspects of substance abuse, populations at risk, the role of support persons, support systems, and community resources.
(L) Crisis or trauma counseling, including crisis theory; multidisciplinary responses to crises, emergencies, or disasters; cognitive, affective, behavioral, and neurological effects associated with trauma; brief, intermediate, and long-term approaches; and assessment strategies for clients in crisis and principles of intervention for individuals with mental or emotional disorders during times of crisis, emergency, or disaster.
(M) Advanced counseling and psychotherapeutic theories and techniques, including the application of counseling constructs, assessment and treatment planning, clinical interventions, therapeutic relationships, psychopathology, or other clinical topics.
(2) In addition to the course requirements described in paragraph (1), 15 semester units or 22.5 quarter units of advanced coursework to develop knowledge of specific treatment issues or special populations.
(3) Not less than six semester units or nine quarter units of supervised practicum or field study experience that involves direct client contact in a clinical setting that provides a range of professional clinical counseling experience, including the following:
(A) Applied psychotherapeutic techniques.
(B) Assessment.
(C) Diagnosis.
(D) Treatment planning.
(E) Treatment.
(F) Issues of development, adjustment, and maladjustment.
(G) Health and wellness promotion.
(H) Professional writing including documentation of services, treatment plans, and progress notes.
(I) How to find and use resources.
(J) Other recognized counseling interventions.
(K) A minimum of 280 hours of face-to-face supervised clinical experience counseling individuals, families, or groups.
(d) The 60 graduate semester units or 90 graduate quarter units of instruction required pursuant to subdivision (c) shall, in addition to meeting the requirements of subdivision (c), include instruction in all of the following:
(1) The understanding of human behavior within the social context of socioeconomic status and other contextual issues affecting social position.
(2) The understanding of human behavior within the social context of a representative variety of the cultures found within California.
(3) Cultural competency and sensitivity, including a familiarity with the racial, cultural, linguistic, and ethnic backgrounds of persons living in California.
(4) An understanding of the effects of socioeconomic status on treatment and available resources.
(5) Multicultural development and cross-cultural interaction, including experiences of race, ethnicity, class, spirituality, sexual orientation, gender, and disability and their incorporation into the psychotherapeutic process.
(6) Case management, systems of care for the severely mentally ill, public and private services for the severely mentally ill, community resources for victims of abuse, disaster and trauma response, advocacy for the severely mentally ill, and collaborative treatment. The instruction required in this paragraph may be provided either in credit level coursework or through extension programs offered by the degree-granting institution.
(7) Human sexuality, including the study of the physiological, psychological, and social cultural variables associated with sexual behavior, gender identity, and the assessment and treatment of psychosexual dysfunction.
(8) Spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, intervention strategies, and same gender abuse dynamics.
(9) A minimum of seven contact hours of training or coursework in child abuse assessment and reporting, as specified in Section 28, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(10) Aging and long-term care, including biological, social, cognitive, and psychological aspects of aging. This coursework shall include instruction on the assessment and reporting of, as well as treatment related to, elder and dependent adult abuse and neglect.
(e) A degree program that qualifies for licensure under this section shall do all of the following:
(1) Integrate the principles of mental health recovery-oriented care and methods of service delivery in recovery-oriented practice environments.
(2) Integrate an understanding of various cultures and the social and psychological implications of socioeconomic position.
(3) Provide the opportunity for students to meet with various consumers and family members of consumers of mental health services to enhance understanding of their experience of mental illness, treatment, and recovery.
(f) (1) (A) An applicant whose degree is deficient in no more than three of the required areas of study listed in subparagraphs (A) to (M), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) may satisfy those deficiencies by successfully completing post-master’s or postdoctoral degree coursework at an accredited or approved institution, as defined in Section 4999.12.
(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), an applicant shall not be deficient in the required areas of study specified in subparagraphs (E) or (G) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) unless the applicant meets one of the following criteria and remediates the deficiency:
(i) The application for licensure was received by the board on or before August 31, 2020.
(ii) The application for registration was received by the board on or before August 31, 2020, and the registration was subsequently issued by the board.
(2) Coursework taken to meet deficiencies in the required areas of study listed in subparagraphs (A) to (M), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) shall be the equivalent of three semester units or four quarter units of study.
(3) The board shall make the final determination as to whether a degree meets all requirements, including, but not limited to, course requirements, regardless of accreditation.

SEC. 75.

 Section 4999.46.4 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4999.46.4.
 (a) A clinical counselor trainee, associate, or applicant for licensure shall only perform mental health and related services at the places where their employer permits business to be conducted.
(b) An associate who is employed or volunteering in a private practice shall be supervised by an individual who is employed by, and shall practice at the same site as, the associate’s employer. Alternatively, the supervisor may be an owner of the private practice. However, if the site is incorporated, the supervisor must be employed full-time at the site and be actively engaged in performing professional services at the site.
(c) A supervisor at a private practice or a corporation shall not supervise more than a total of three supervisees at any one time. A supervisee may be registered as an associate marriage and family therapist, an associate professional clinical counselor, or an associate clinical social worker.
(d) In a setting that is not a private practice:
(1) A written oversight agreement, as specified in regulation, shall be executed between the supervisor and employer when the supervisor is not employed by the supervisee’s employer or is a volunteer.
(2) A supervisor shall evaluate the site or sites where an associate will be gaining experience to determine that the site or sites provide experience that is in compliance with the requirements set forth in this chapter.
(e) Alternative supervision may be arranged during a supervisor’s vacation or sick leave if the alternative supervision meets the requirements in this chapter and regulation.

SEC. 76.

 Section 4999.52 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

4999.52.
 (a) Every applicant for a license as a professional clinical counselor shall take one or more examinations, as determined by the board, to ascertain their knowledge, professional skills, and judgment in the utilization of appropriate techniques and methods of professional clinical counseling.
(b) The examinations shall be given at least twice a year at a time and place and under supervision as the board may determine.
(c) The board shall not deny any applicant admission to an examination who has submitted a complete application for examination admission if the applicant meets the educational and experience requirements of this chapter and has not committed any acts or engaged in any conduct that would constitute grounds to deny licensure.
(d) The board shall not deny any applicant, whose application for licensure is complete, admission to the clinical examination, nor shall the board postpone or delay any applicant’s clinical examination, solely upon the receipt by the board of a complaint alleging acts or conduct that would constitute grounds to deny licensure.
(e) If an applicant for the examination specified by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 4999.53, who has passed the California law and ethics examination, is the subject of a complaint or is under board investigation for acts or conduct that, if proven to be true, would constitute grounds for the board to deny licensure, the board shall permit the applicant to take this examination, but may notify the applicant that licensure will not be granted pending completion of the investigation.
(f) Notwithstanding Section 135, the board may deny any applicant who has previously failed either the California law and ethics examination, or the examination specified by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 4999.53, permission to retake either examination pending completion of the investigation of any complaints against the applicant.
(g) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the board from denying an applicant admission to any examination or refusing to issue a license to any applicant when an accusation or statement of issues has been filed against the applicant pursuant to Section 11503 or 11504 of the Government Code, respectively, or the application has been denied in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 485.
(h) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the board may destroy all examination materials two years following the date of an examination.
(i) If the examination specified by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 4999.53 is not passed within seven years of an applicant for licensure’s initial attempt, the applicant shall obtain a passing score on the current version of the California law and ethics examination in order to be eligible to retake this examination.
(j) A passing score on the clinical examination shall be accepted by the board for a period of seven years from the date the examination was taken.

SEC. 77.

 (a) Section 58.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 2234 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 425. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2020, (2) each bill amends Section 2234 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 425, in which case Section 58 of this bill shall not become operative.
(b) Section 68.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 4980.81 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 679. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2020, (2) each bill amends Section 4980.81 of the Business and Professions Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 679, in which case Section 68 of this bill shall not become operative.