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Bill Summary · AB 375

AB 375: Medical Practice Act – health care providers – qualified autism service paraprofessionals

Overview

AB 375, introduced February 3, 2025 by Nguyen, would expand the Medical Practice Act’s definition of “health care provider” to include a qualified autism service paraprofessional. The bill focuses on incorporating paraprofessional autism service personnel into the framework of medical practice regulation, including telehealth delivery. It is currently in committee with a first hearing set; a hearing was canceled at the author’s request.

What the bill would do

  • ** expand the definition of “health care provider.”** The bill adds qualified autism service paraprofessionals certified by a national entity to the list of recognized health care providers under the Medical Practice Act.
  • This expands the scope of activities that fall under the act’s enforcement and potential penalties, effectively broadening the state’s regulatory reach over paraprofessional autism services.
  • The bill retains existing telehealth provisions and integrates the paraprofessional category into telehealth definitions and governance.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions (Section 2290.5, Business and Professions Code):
    • Adds “a qualified autism service paraprofessional” to the list of individuals who qualify as a health care provider when certified by a national entity (consistent with existing language for qualified autism service providers/professionals).
    • Keeps existing categories (licensed professionals, qualified autism service providers, etc.) in the definition.
    • Defines terms related to telehealth: asynchronous store-and-forward, distant site, originating site, synchronous interaction, and telehealth itself.
  • Telehealth framework: Requires informing patients about telehealth and obtaining consent (verbal or written), with documentation. Telehealth is applicable to both synchronous and asynchronous modes.
  • Clinical and professional standards: Applies standard professional responsibility and conduct rules to telehealth providers, including paraprofessionals, consistent with other health care providers.
  • Hospital privileges: Allows hospitals to grant and verify credentials for telehealth providers based on medical staff recommendations.
  • Corrections exclusion: The section explicitly notes it does not apply to patients under correctional authorities.
  • Fiscal note: The act includes a no-reimbursement clause for the local costs associated with creating a new crime/infraction or changing penalties; it is considered a state-mandated local program, but no state reimbursement is required.

Who would be affected

  • Qualified autism service paraprofessionals seeking recognition and regulation under the Medical Practice Act.
  • Telehealth providers, including paraprofessionals, and the health care entities that employ or credential them (hospitals, clinics).
  • Local agencies and school districts, to the extent costs arise from expanded crime/penalty definitions (though the bill specifies no reimbursement is required).

Procedural and timeline context

  • Introduced: February 3, 2025.
  • Actions: Referred to the Committee on Business and Professions (2/18/2025). Passed from committee to Appropriations (4/8/2025). In Assembly Appropriations committee, hearing set for 4/30/2025; hearing canceled at author’s request (status: in committee, first hearing set, then canceled).

Potential impact

  • Broadens regulatory oversight to include qualified autism service paraprofessionals, potentially enhancing accountability and uniform telehealth practices.
  • Could influence credentialing processes, hospital privileging, and enforcement of professional standards for paraprofessional autism services.
  • Financially, local costs may be incurred, but no state reimbursement is required under the bill’s current provisions.

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

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