CHA Conference to Offer Human Resources Legal, Practical Insight
Registration is now open for CHA’s members-only Human Resources Conference: Bringing Order to Chaos conference in Pasadena March 23-24, combining CHA’s annual Employee Safety and Workers Compensation seminar and its Labor and Employment seminar.
State Releases Guidance on New Law for Determining Independent Contractors
Yesterday, the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency released a web page focused on Assembly Bill 5, the bill that creates a new test for determining independent contractor status. The site includes information for employees and employers, including frequently asked questions. Although many questions remain, this new resource may be helpful to hospital leaders as they review their independent contractor relationships.
CHA Secures Amendments to Nurse Staffing Ratio Bill, Continues Advocacy to Oppose
One of CHA’s highest legislative priorities this year has been Senate Bill (SB) 227 (Leyva, D-Chino), which would create duplicative and mandatory fines for hospitals if they do not meet required nurse staffing ratios. With help from member hospitals, our advocacy generated key amendments last week, including:
An exemption for hospitals that — in response to an unforeseeable and uncontrollable fluctuation — promptly make an effort to maintain staffing requirements
A 50% reduction in the fines (now $15,000 for the first violation and $30,000 subsequently)
A reduction in the length of time required to revert to a first violation (lowered from six years to three)
Contact Legislators and Urge Opposition to Nurse Staffing Ratio Bill
CHA has extended the deadline for its Advocacy Alert asking members to urge their assemblymembers to oppose Senate Bill (SB) 227, which would create an unreasonable, mandatory penalty system for hospitals that do not meet nurse staffing ratios. The deadline for letters is now 5 p.m. on June 11.
CHA Supports Resident Physician Shortage Act of 2019
CHA sent a letter to the California congressional delegation this week, urging support of the Resident Physician Shortage Act of 2019 (H.R. 1763), which takes steps to reduce nationwide physician shortages by increasing the number of Medicare-supported residency positions.