Long-Term Care Bills Approved, But Cosmetic Surgery Bill Is Rejected

Over the weekend, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) signed a series of bills aimed at boosting protections for residents of long-term care facilities, the Los Angeles Times reports.  The governor signed:

• AB 749, by Assembly member Lois Wolk (D-Davis), which will require long-term care facilities to maintain emergency response plans and allow residents to review the documents;
• AB 2100, also by Wolk, which will require long-term care facilities immediately to report suspected cases of physical, sexual or financial abuse of residents to the local district attorney; and
• AB 2370 by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles), which will require assisted care homes to provide residents and potential residents with a review of monthly rate increases at the facility over the past three years.

Cosmetic Surgery Exam

In other legislative action, Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed AB 2968 by Assembly member Wilmer Amina Carter (D-Rialto).  The measure would have required patients to undergo a physical exam, provide a complete medical history and receive a physician's approval before undergoing cosmetic surgery.

Schwarzenegger cited the state's record budget impasse in his veto message, writing that the budget deadlock left him with time to enact only top priority legislation for the state before this year's Sept. 30 deadline to act on bills (Vogel, Los Angeles Times, 9/29).