Bill > AB346

This bill modifies the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program by refining the definition of a "licensed health care professional" for certification purposes. Currently, IHSS provides support services to aged, blind, and disabled individuals to help them remain in their homes and avoid institutionalization. The bill expands the definition of a licensed health care professional to specifically include professionals who have primary responsibilities for diagnosing or treating physical or mental impairments that cause functional limitations. This means that only healthcare providers directly involved in assessing and treating a person's specific condition can certify the need for IHSS services. The bill clarifies that these professionals (which may include physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and others licensed in California) must act within their professional scope when certifying a patient's need for in-home supportive services. By narrowing the definition, the bill aims to ensure that certifications are made by professionals with direct, relevant expertise in a patient's specific health conditions and functional limitations, potentially improving the accuracy and appropriateness of IHSS service authorizations.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB346