About Laws & Regulations
Navigating the vast network of health care laws and regulations is difficult. To help hospitals, CHA produces manuals and guidebooks, including the Consent Manual, a one-stop resource for all legal requirements related to patient consent for medical treatment, release of medical information, reporting requirements and more; the Model Medical Staff Bylaws and Rules, which outline the framework for working relationships among medical staff, hospital administrators and governing bodies; and the California Hospital Compliance Manual, which covers high-risk compliance issues. CHA also represents California hospitals’ interests in court on issues, including reimbursement, labor and employment, and more.
CHA Urges Practical Approach to Implementation of Weapons Detection Screening Regulations
What’s happening: CHA has submitted comments to the Cal/OSHA Standards Board on the draft regulations to implement the weapons detection screening required under Assembly Bill 2975.
CHA Comments on CMS’ Proposed Rule on Provider Taxes
What’s Happening: CHA has submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) urging changes to the proposed rule on “Amending the Indirect Hold Harmless Threshold of Health Care-Related Taxes.”
CHA Comments on OHCA Cost and Market Impact Review Emergency Regulations
What’s happening: On Sept. 22, the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) submitted an emergency rulemaking package to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) to amend its Cost and Market Impact Review regulations. In its comment letter, CHA asked OHCA to revise its regulations to better align them with the letter and intent of Assembly Bill 1415,...
CHA Comments on Third Draft of Proposed Plume Rules
What’s happening: CHA has submitted comments to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) in response to the Aug. 17 third draft of regulatory language regarding Assembly Bill 1007 (2023-24: Occupational safety and health standards: plume).
Comment Period Open for Misguided Weapons Detection Screening Regulations
What’s happening: This week, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) proposed draft regulations implementing Assembly Bill 2975, which was passed in 2024 and requires that hospitals implement weapons detection screening at the main hospital entrance, emergency department entrance, and labor and delivery entrance if separately situated.
DIR Releases Updated Draft Plume Rules; Comments Due Sept. 21
What’s happening: On Aug. 17, the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) released revisions to the discussion draft for occupational exposure to surgical smoke (plume) in health care. The comment period ends on Sept. 21.
CHA Alert: Urge State Senators to Vote No on AI Bill That Would Undermine Patient Safety
What’s happening: On Wednesday, CHA issued an alert asking members to call their state senator and ask them to vote "no" on Assembly Bill 2575 (Ortega, D-Hayward). The bill would protect health care workers from corrective action or discipline when they override an artificial intelligence tool, even if the decision results in patient harm or violates hospital policies and procedures. What else ...
CARB Extends Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Deadline to Nov. 10
What’s happening: The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has moved the Aug. 10 deadline for reporting Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions to Nov. 10.
Reminder: Hospital APOT Reduction Protocols Due June 30
What’s happening: As a reminder, all hospitals must submit an ambulance patient offload time (APOT) reduction protocol — required under Assembly Bill (AB) 40 (2023) — to the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) annually on or before June 30. CHA recommends hospitals submit their protocols as soon as possible.
CHA Submits Comments to Cal/OSHA on Second Draft of Plume Regulations
What’s happening: CHA has submitted comments to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) in response to the April 24 second draft of regulatory language regarding Assembly Bill 1007 (2023-2024: Occupational safety and health standards: plume).