California Assembly Bill AB1247

California 2017-2018 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/17/17
• Refer: 3/9/17
• Report Pass: 4/18/17
• Refer: 4/18/17
• Report Pass: 5/1/17
• Refer: 5/3/17
• Report Pass: 5/24/17
• Engrossed: 5/30/17
• Refer: 5/30/17
• Refer: 6/8/17
• Report Pass: 7/3/17
• Refer: 7/3/17
• Report Pass: 6/4/18
• Refer: 6/4/18
• Report Pass: 6/19/18
• Refer: 6/20/18
• Refer: 6/21/18
• Refer: 8/28/18
• Enrolled: 8/30/18
• Vetoed: 9/22/18

Caption

Professional fiduciaries: prelicensing and renewal or restoration: education.

Impact

The amendment to the Professional Fiduciaries Act signifies a progressive step towards inclusivity and awareness of diverse community needs among professional fiduciaries. By mandating education on LGBT cultural competency, the bill impacts the licensure process for professional fiduciaries and aims to enhance the quality of care provided to clients from various backgrounds. It reflects an effort to ensure that fiduciaries are not only knowledgeable about professional standards but also about cultural sensitivities related to the populations they serve.

Summary

Assembly Bill 1247, introduced by Assembly Member Nazarian, amends the Professional Fiduciaries Act to include requirements for educational components aimed at enhancing cultural competency in dealing with LGBT communities. This bill stipulates that as of January 1, 2020, prelicensing educational courses for professional fiduciaries must incorporate at least one hour of instruction focused on LGBT cultural competency. Furthermore, practicing fiduciaries are mandated to complete at least one hour of LGBT cultural competency education every three years for license renewal or restoration.

Sentiment

General sentiment surrounding AB 1247 appears to be largely supportive, emphasizing the importance of cultural competency in professional caregiving roles. Supporters laud this inclusion as critical for ensuring that fiduciaries understand the unique needs of the LGBT community, which can enhance the quality of service. Nonetheless, some opposition may arise from those who view additional regulations in the professional education requirements as burdensome or unnecessary. Overall, the discourse appears to balance between advocating for improved care standards and managing regulatory responsibilities.

Contention

A notable point of contention might arise concerning how fiduciaries and educational institutions will implement this additional training and whether it effectively translates into better care. There may also be concerns regarding the allocation of resources for this additional training, given that the bill explicitly states that costs for educational courses shall not be borne by clients served by fiduciaries. Ensuring that agencies and fiduciaries can meet these new educational requirements without financial repercussions may be a significant operational challenge.