LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 132, as amended, Denham. Polysomnographic technologists: sleep
and wake disorders.
Existing law, the Physician Assistant Practice Act, provides for
the licensure and regulation of physician assistants by the Physician
Assistant Committee of the Medical Board of California. Existing law
prescribes the medical services that may be performed by a physician
assistant under the supervision of a licensed physician and surgeon.

Existing law, the Respiratory Care Practice Act, provides for the
licensure and regulation of respiratory professionals by the
Respiratory Care Board of California. Existing law defines the
practice of respiratory therapy and prohibits its practice without a
license issued by the board, subject to certain exceptions.
This bill would require the Medical Board of California to adopt
regulations within one year after the effective date of this act
relative to the qualifications for certified polysomnographic
technologists, including requiring those technologists to be
credentialed by a board-approved national accrediting agency, to have
graduated from a board-approved educational program, and to have
passed a board-approved national certifying examination, with a
specified exception for that examination requirement for a 3-year
period. The bill would prohibit a person from using the title
"certified polysomnographic technologist" or engaging in the practice
of polysomnography unless he or she undergoes a Department of
Justice background check, as specified, is registered as a certified
polysomnographic technologist, is supervised and directed by a
licensed physician and surgeon, and meets certain other requirements.
The bill would define polysomnography to mean the treatment,
management, diagnostic testing, control, education, and care of
patients with sleep and wake disorders, as specified. The bill would
further require the board, within one year after the effective date
of this act, to adopt regulations related to the employment of
polysomnographic technicians and trainees.
This bill would require polysomnographic technologists to apply to
and register with the Medical Board of California for fees to be
fixed by the board at no more than $100 each, and to renew their
registration biennially for a fee of no more than $100
$150 . The bill would require the deposit of
those fees in the Contingent Fund of the Medical Board of California,
a continuously appropriated fund, thereby making an appropriation.
The bill would further set forth specified disciplinary standards and
procedures.
The bill would specify that these provisions do not apply to
diagnostic electroencephalograms conducted in accordance with the
guidelines of the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society.
This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as
an urgency statute.

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Comments/questions on SB 132 (Denham): Polysomnographic technologists: sleep and wake disorders.