The legislation also modifies the inspection frequency for licensed hospices, establishing that they must now be inspected by a representative of the state department every three years, instead of the previously less defined schedule. The results of these inspections will be made public, taking into account federal and state privacy laws, which may boost transparency and accountability in hospice care services across California.
Assembly Bill 1884, introduced by Assembly Member Voepel, amends the California Hospice Licensure Act of 1990 by introducing stricter standards for hospice care. In particular, the bill mandates that the recertification of a patient's terminal illness must be conducted by at least one independent physician, alongside the medical director of the hospice or a member of the interdisciplinary group. This requirement is designed to enhance the integrity and quality of care provided to terminal patients, ensuring that more voices are involved in the determination of a patient's condition.
Moreover, the bill introduces penalties for violations of the new provisions related to recertification and inspection processes, classifying these violations as crimes. However, it waives the requirement for the state to reimburse local governments for the costs stemming from these new mandates, based on the provision that the only expenses incurred will be due to the creation or modification of infractions or penalties. This funding structure could lead to criticisms regarding the financial impact on local agencies responsible for implementing these changes.