If you own or work for a healthcare practice in California, staying informed about news laws is both a legal obligation and an ethical responsibility. Keeping up to date with California healthcare laws and regulations helps ensure that your practice prioritizes patients’ health and well-being while maintaining compliance.
These laws are designed to uphold ethical standards and protect patient confidentiality. Failure to comply can result in severe consequences, including fines, license suspension, or even revocation. If you are facing allegations of violating California healthcare laws, consulting an experienced healthcare attorney can help you navigate the legal process with confidence.
Below are some noteworthy California new healthcare laws you might have missed.
Starting October 16, 2024, Senate Bill 525 — the California healthcare minimum wage law — allows healthcare workers employed by certain facilities to be eligible for a higher minimum wage: between $18 and $23 per hour.
The types of healthcare facilities that have been impacted by this wage increase include hospitals or integrated health systems with 10,000 or more full-time employees, dialysis clinics, safety net hospitals, intermittent and community clinics, and more.
Beginning January 1, 2025, Senate Bill 1238 broadens the types of facilities that can treat individuals under temporary conservatorship for substance use disorders. Previously limited to psychiatric health facilities, the new law allows both mental health rehab centers and psychiatric health facilities to provide 24-hour inpatient care for severe substance use disorders.
The California Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act, Assembly Bill 2319, aims to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in maternal and infant healthcare outcomes by expanding implicit bias training for healthcare providers in California.
Current healthcare providers must complete their training by June 1, 2025, while new providers are required to complete their training within six months of their start date.
Twelve new bills have been signed into law in California to improve the quality of care for adults living with Alzheimer’s disease. These laws mandate that healthcare providers and law enforcement officials complete specialized training focused on Alzheimer’s, autism, and dementia.
This training aims to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to better understand, recognize, and respond to the challenges faced by people burdened with these diseases.
Fenton Jurkowitz Law Group has a team of seasoned attorneys who specialize in California healthcare law and California labor laws for healthcare workers. It is important to have legal counsel on your side to ensure you and your healthcare practice are protected. Fill out our contact form on our website today to connect with an experienced healthcare attorney.