Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee advances AB277, AB1382 and adopts sister-state resolution with Jalisco

The California State Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee, sitting as a subcommittee, advanced several measures after establishing quorum. Lawmakers moved AB277, a bill to require background checks for unlicensed employees who provide behavioral-health services, to the Senate Public Safety Committee; AB1382, which would prohibit sale of genetically modified animals altered for cosmetic purposes, was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee; and ACR173, a resolution recommending a sister-state relationship between California and Jalisco, was adopted.

Assemblymember Alanis introduced AB277, saying the bill would require background checks for unlicensed behavioral-health workers such as registered behavioral technicians and increase transparency in hiring so parents and guardians can better trust providers. Rachel Blucher, testifying for the California Association for Behavior Analysis, said AB277 "aligns behavioral health settings with existing standards of other healthcare and educational institutions," and argued the measure would "promote employer accountability, strengthen public trust, and, most importantly, enhance consumer protection." CalABA described itself as representing more than 31,000 behavior-analytic practitioners in California.

No opposition witnesses spoke against AB277 during the hearing. Senator Archuleta asked how the background checks would reach both existing workers and new entrants; the committee agreed to make a motion when quorum was present. After quorum was established, the committee recorded a roll-call vote moving AB277 to the Senate Public Safety Committee with a recorded tally of 6–0.

Assemblymember Castillo presented AB1382, the so-called "Ethics over Aesthetics" act, saying the bill would bar sale of animals genetically modified for novelty or cosmetic traits while preserving medical research exemptions. Nick Sackett of Social Compassion and Legislation testified in support, arguing that novelty breeding could worsen overpopulation and shelter burdens; he said California shelters euthanize "about 250,000 animals a year" (corrected from the testimony text) and noted operating costs of roughly $400 million annually. "This bill will ensure that California does not encourage this burgeoning and frivolous industry," Sackett said. Support was also recorded from the California Animal Welfare Association and Humane World for Animals. AB1382 was moved and recorded as passed out of committee to Senate Judiciary by a 6–0 tally.

Assemblymember Carrillo introduced ACR173 to formalize ceremonial and cooperative ties with the State of Jalisco in Mexico, citing shared cultural and economic links and recommending binational collaboration on agriculture, labor, technology and education. During discussion, a member raised concerns about a final "whereas" clause referencing recent mass deportations and said the phrasing was "pointed," announcing he would abstain from the vote. After reconsideration, the committee adopted the resolution (recorded as 4–0).

The chair noted several items were taken on consent earlier in the hearing (listed on the agenda) and read the motions and roll-call tallies. Where speakers or witnesses were absent, the committee recorded no opposition and proceeded with votes after quorum was reached. The committee’s actions send the bills to their next committees for further consideration.

Votes at a glance: consent items (listed by the chair) passed 6–0; AB277 moved to Senate Public Safety (6–0); AB1382 moved to Senate Judiciary (6–0); ACR173 adopted after reconsideration (recorded 4–0).