Quality

The Senate voted 24-10 to concur with the Assembly's amendments of SB 1248 by Sen. Elaine Alquist (D-San Jose), and the measure now goes to the governor for consideration (Bill status, 8/22). The legislation would expand to all nursing home residents certain rights currently guaranteed only for Medicare or Medi-Cal beneficiaries (Bill text, 8/14).

The Assembly amended SB 1430 by Alquist to eliminate a provision that would have authorized local health officers to take reasonable measures to prevent or respond to an imminent and proximate public health threat. The measure would authorize the disclosure of information to a local health department to help prevent or control injuries or disabilities from disease as authorized by state and federal law. The bill would specify the responsibilities of local and state governments in the event of a public health emergency and would authorize a first responder to isolate people that might have been exposed to biological, chemical, toxic or radiological substances that could spread to others (Bill text, 8/23). The Assembly will hear the third reading of the legislation (Bill status, 8/23).