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AB 1361

University of California: branch campus of a school of medicine in the County of Kern: feasibility study.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jasmeet Bains

Requires UC to study, upon funding, the feasibility of a UC medical school branch in Kern County, outlining sites, costs, LCME readiness, curriculum, residencies, and local impact.

In committee: Held under submission.
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Bill Summary · AB 1361

AB 1361 — County of Kern Grow Our Own Medical School Feasibility Study Act

Author: Assemblymember Bains | Introduced: Feb 21, 2025
Status: In committee — Held under submission (last action: 2025-05-23)

Purpose / Intent

AB 1361 directs the University of California (UC) to complete and report a comprehensive feasibility study on establishing a branch campus of an existing UC School of Medicine in Kern County. The bill is intended to assess requirements, costs, and pathways to expand medical education capacity in a region identified as medically underserved and to inform legislative decision‑making about potential campus development.

Key provisions

  • Adds Section 92170 to the Education Code and names the measure the County of Kern Grow Our Own Medical School Feasibility Study Act.
  • Requires UC, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to complete a feasibility study (and reasonably attempt to consult specified local stakeholders).
  • Requires UC to submit the feasibility study, with detailed findings, recommendations, and an implementation timeline, to the Governor and Legislature and to publish it online.
  • Declares the bill an urgency statute and to take effect immediately.

Required study elements

The bill requires a comprehensive analysis to include, at minimum:
- Identification of potential sites for a branch medical campus.
- Assessment of construction and infrastructure needs and evaluation of the ability to meet Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) resource requirements.
- Recruitment strategies for qualified faculty and staff.
- Development of a medical education curriculum appropriate for a UC branch campus.
- Analysis of licensure and accreditation requirements and the campus’s ability to comply with LCME standards.
- Financial analysis: projected costs and potential funding sources.
- Review of graduate medical education (residency) opportunities in Kern County and recommendations to ensure campus graduates have access to local residency positions.

Stakeholder consultation

The UC must consult with local voluntary stakeholders and reasonably attempt to consult with, among others:
- Kern County Medical Society
- Kern Medical Hospital Authority
- Kern Family Health Care
- At least one labor union representing UC patient care and technical employees
- At least one labor union representing Kern County health care workers

Timeline & procedural notes

  • UC obligation is triggered “upon appropriation by the Legislature.” The bill specifies UC shall, upon appropriation, complete the feasibility study on or before January 1, 2027.
  • The feasibility study must be submitted to the Governor and Legislature no later than two years from the date of the appropriation and made available electronically.
  • Because the bill is an urgency statute, it requires a 2/3 legislative vote to take immediate effect.

Who is affected

  • University of California (responsible for study and potential later development).
  • Kern County health systems, hospitals, and medical providers (potential partners for clinical training and residency slots).
  • Medical students and faculty (future training and employment opportunities).
  • State budget/legislature (must appropriate funds from the existing UC Kern County Medical Education Endowment Fund or other sources to trigger the study).

Potential impacts

  • Provides an evidence base for whether and how to establish a UC medical school branch in Kern County — potentially increasing physician supply, local training capacity, and access to care in an underserved region.
  • Fiscal and implementation outcomes depend on the study’s findings and subsequent legislative appropriations; the bill itself does not appropriate construction or operational funding.
  • Requires coordination with accreditation bodies (LCME) and expansion or creation of residency programs to retain graduates locally.

Legislative status and history (select)

  • Introduced Feb 21, 2025. Referred to Higher Education Committee; amended and re‑referred to Appropriations Committee. Read second time and amended (Apr 10). Referred to suspense file and, as of May 23, 2025, held under submission.

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

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