Bill > AB304

This bill addresses the growing need for clinical laboratory scientists and medical laboratory technicians by establishing a state grant program. Specifically, the Department of Health Care Access and Information would be required to create a grant program, upon legislative appropriation, to fund qualified training programs for clinical laboratory professionals. To be eligible for grants, training programs must offer instruction for clinical laboratory scientists or medical laboratory technicians and be either approved by the State Department of Public Health or accredited by a recognized accrediting program. The bill recognizes that the demand for these healthcare professionals has significantly outpaced the growth of educational training opportunities, and aims to streamline the process of students becoming lab professionals. Grant recipients would be required to spend the awarded funds within three years of receiving the grant. The underlying motivation is to support and expand educational pathways for clinical laboratory personnel, ensuring that the state can meet the increasing workforce needs in this critical healthcare sector.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB304