Senate panel advances bill to let pre-2010 affiliate clinics use CDPH fast-track licensing

The Senate Health Committee moved SB 526 out of committee after hearing that the bill would extend CDPH's expedited affiliate licensing process to clinics licensed before 2010, easing paperwork and helping clinics maintain services during location or management changes.

Senator Menjivar presented the measure on behalf of Senator Perez, explaining that CDPH created an expedited affiliate licensing process in 2010 but clinics licensed prior to that year have not been eligible even when in good standing. "This bill simply clarifies that the license prior to the establishment of the expedited process still qualifies for a fast tracked licensure," the presenter said.

Advocates including Angela Pontes of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California and Dennis Cuevas Zamora of the California Primary Care Association testified in support. Pontes said the change "will save money, expand access to care, and reduce administrative burdens," and noted it would significantly benefit more than 100 Planned Parenthood health centers in the state while helping other safety-net community clinics.

A motion that the assembly amendments be concurred in was made (mover: Senator Smallwood Cuevas) and, after roll calls that the chair left open to allow absent members to vote, the committee recorded a unanimous committee vote to move the bill out of committee.

Next steps: The committee announced the bill was "out"; the transcript does not specify the next committee assignment or floor schedule.