Gov. Brown Signs More Health Care-Related Bills Into Law
In the last week, Gov. Jerry Brown (D) has signed into law several health care-related bills.
Details of AB 1124
AB 1124, by Assembly member Henry Perea (D-Fresno), requires the state Division of Workers' Compensation to develop a closed prescription drug formulary by July 1, 2017, for medications prescribed to injured workers.
The law, which is aimed at reducing the overuse of opioids and other drugs, requires that the formulary be updated on a quarterly basis (Goldberg, Business Insurance, 10/7).
Details of AB 775
Under AB 775, by Assembly members David Chiu (D-San Francisco) and Autumn Burke (D-Los Angeles), crisis pregnancy centers, which discourage women from seeking abortions, will be required to provide information about:
- Abortion;
- Affordable contraception; and
- Prenatal care.
In addition, unlicensed CPCs will be required to inform patients of their status (Williams, AP/Sacramento Bee, 10/9). The law is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2016.
However, two religiously affiliated CPCs -- A Woman's Friend Pregnancy Resource Clinic in Marysville and Crisis Pregnancy Center of Northern California in Redding -- on Saturday requested a temporary injunction to stop the law from taking effect.
The two facilities argued that the law violates their rights to free speech and their exercise of religion under the First Amendment (Walsh, Sacramento Bee, 10/11).
Details of AB 601
Meanwhile, AB 601, by Assembly member Susan Eggman (D-Stockton), will require applicants seeking licenses to run residential care facilities to disclose prior ownership of any facility in any state (Nelson, San Jose Mercury News, 10/9).
Under the law, the California Department of Social Services:
- Must cross-check applicants' information with the state Department of Public Health; and
- Can revoke or deny licenses if required information is not disclosed (San Jose Mercury News, 10/9).