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SB 796

Emergency medical services: state-employed public safety personnel: optional first aid skills.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Laura Richardson

SB 796 makes first aid certification optional for California state-employed public safety personnel, eliminating mandatory training requirements that currently apply statewide.

May 23 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.
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Bill Summary · SB 796

Legislative bill overview

SB 796 would make first aid skills training optional rather than mandatory for state-employed public safety personnel in California. The bill allows these workers to choose whether to maintain certified first aid certification as a condition of employment.

Why is this important

First aid certification directly affects emergency response capabilities and patient outcomes in medical emergencies. This change could impact response times and care quality in situations where public safety personnel are first on scene, particularly in rural or underserved areas where EMS response may be delayed.

Potential points of contention

  • Public safety vs. cost savings: Making training optional reduces state training expenses and administrative burden, but may compromise emergency response effectiveness and create inconsistent capability across departments
  • Equity concerns: Some communities may have fewer trained responders, potentially creating disparities in emergency care access based on geography or departmental resources
  • Liability and standards: Unclear whether making certification optional creates liability exposure for the state or individual agencies if untrained personnel respond to medical emergencies

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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