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AB 304

Training programs: clinical laboratories and personnel: grants.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Phillip Chen

Creates a state grant program (requiring appropriation) to fund SDPH-approved or accredited clinical lab training programs for scientists and technicians.

From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
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Bill Summary · AB 304

Summary of AB 304 (Chen) – Training programs: clinical laboratories and personnel: grants

Overview

AB 304 would create a state grant program to fund training programs for clinical laboratory scientists and medical laboratory technicians. The program is administered by the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) in coordination with the State Department of Public Health (SDPH). Funding is contingent on legislative appropriation and programs must be approved by SDPH or accredited by an SDPH-approved accrediting body. Grantees must spend the awarded funds within three years.

Purpose and intent

  • Address the growing need for clinical laboratory personnel, including clinical laboratory scientists and medical laboratory technicians.
  • Streamline the pathway for students to become qualified professionals by supporting approved training programs with state grants.
  • Align training opportunities with regulatory expectations, ensuring programs are SDPH-approved or SDPH-accredited.

Key provisions

  • Creation of the Clinical Laboratory Training Grant Program:

    • Added to the Business and Professions Code as Article 8, starting with Section 1330.
    • Requires a legislative appropriation specifically for this purpose.

  • Eligibility and funding criteria:

    • Grants may be awarded to clinical training programs that: 1) Offer training for clinical laboratory scientists or medical laboratory technicians. 2) Are approved by the SDPH or accredited by a recognized accrediting program approved by the SDPH.
    • The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), in coordination with SDPH, administers the program.

  • Use of funds:

    • Grantees must expend funds within three years of receipt.

Who is affected

  • Eligible entities: Training programs that prepare clinical laboratory scientists or medical laboratory technicians and meet SDPH approval or accreditation requirements.
  • Regulatory oversight: SDPH remains responsible for approving or accrediting qualifying programs.
  • Students and workforce: Prospective and current trainees in clinical laboratory fields stand to benefit from expanded training opportunities and potential pipeline improvements.

Funding and timelines

  • Funding: Contingent on Legislative appropriation; the bill emphasizes “upon appropriation for this express purpose.”
  • Expenditure deadline: Grantees must spend awarded funds within 3 years.
  • Fiscal notes: The bill’s digest indicates no automatic ongoing appropriation; the program would be funded only when the Legislature provides specific funds.

Procedural status and timeline

  • Introduced: January 23, 2025.
  • Legislative actions:
    • 01/23/25: Read first time; referred to health committee.
    • 02/18/25: Referred to Assembly Committee on Health.
    • 03/26/25: Do pass and re-refer to Appropriations (APPR); later moved to APPR suspense file.
    • 04/09/25: Set for first hearing; re-referred to APPR suspense file.
    • 05/23/25: In committee: Held under submission.
  • Current status: In committee, held under submission.

Relationship to existing law

  • builds on:
    • State licensing and regulation of clinical laboratories and personnel by SDPH.
    • Prohibition on operating training programs without SDPH approval.
    • HCAI authority to make grants to develop training for new health professions (expanded here to include clinical laboratory fields, subject to appropriation and SDPH approval/accreditation).

Potential impact

  • Positive effects: Expands funding opportunities for training programs, potentially accelerating the supply of qualified clinical laboratory professionals; encourages alignment with regulatory standards; may improve workforce readiness and laboratory capacity.
  • Considerations: Requires explicit appropriation to become active; depends on SDPH oversight and accreditation processes; program outcomes will hinge on grant levels, program quality, and timely expenditure by grantees.

This summary captures the bill’s purpose, core provisions, affected parties, and key procedural aspects for AB 304.

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

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