Quality
AB 651 by Assembly member Patty Berg (D-Santa Rosa) was amended to authorize an adult who has been diagnosed with a terminal disease to request life-ending medication "if suffering becomes unbearable." The bill establishes the procedure for requesting such medications. In addition, the bill would provide immunity from civil or criminal liability or professional disciplinary action for participating in good faith compliance with the measure, dubbed the California Compassionate Choices Act (Bill text, 6/15). A Senate Judiciary Committee hearing was scheduled for June 27 (Bill status, 6/21).
SB 739 by Sen. Jackie Speier (D-San Mateo) was amended to create the Hospital Infectious Disease Control Program, which would require DHS and general acute care hospitals to implement disease surveillance measures and strategies aimed at the prevention of hospital-acquired infections. The amended bill would require hospitals by Jan. 1, 2009, to develop, implement and evaluate polices intended to prevent such infections (Bill text, 6/15). The bill was rereferred to the Assembly Rules Committee (StateNet, Subscription required).
SB 1272 by Sen. Debra Bowen (D-Redondo Beach) was amended to require the secretary of state to create an electronic system to provide access to advance health care directives. The bill would require the system to be periodically audited and would mandate certain clearances for anyone with access to the system. Under the measure, the secretary of state would be required to report on the system to the Legislature by June 30, 2011 (Bill text, 6/15). The bill was rereferred to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. A hearing was scheduled for June 27 (Bill status, 6/21).