AB 1196: Health facilities: cardiac surgery.
The bill aims to update the regulation of health facilities, specifically general acute care hospitals, to reflect current professional standards of care relating to extracorporeal bypass surgery. Currently, a minimum of 3 surgeons are required to constitute a surgical team if the procedure requires extracorporeal bypass. The bill requires the state department of public health to update this regulation by January 1, 2029, to ensure it aligns with current standards of care.
| Feb. 02, 2026 | From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. |
| Jan. 31, 2026 | Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution. |
| May. 23, 2025 | In committee: Held under submission. |
| May. 14, 2025 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file. |
| May. 05, 2025 | Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Amended IN Assembly May 01, 2025 |
| Amended IN Assembly March 17, 2025 |
| Introduced by Assembly Member Gallagher |
February 21, 2025 |
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
This bill would instead require, when a general acute care hospital is performing cardiac surgery, that the surgical team for all cardiovascular operative procedures that require extracorporeal bypass consist of a minimum of one surgeon and 2 additional individuals, each of whom is either a physician’s assistant or a registered nurse that meets specified requirements. The bill would require the department, on or before January 1, 2027, to amend its regulations to be consistent with these provisions. By changing the definition of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 1255.4 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:1255.4.
On or before January 1, 2029, the department shall update Section 70435(b)(2) of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations to reflect current professional standards of care relating to extracorporeal bypass surgery.(a)When a general acute care hospital is performing cardiac surgery, a minimum of one surgeon who meets the requirements of Section 70435(b)(1) of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, and two additional individuals, each of whom is either a physician’s assistant or a registered nurse that meets the requirements established in Sections 70706 and 70706.1 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, shall constitute a surgical team for the performance of all cardiovascular operative procedures that require extracorporeal bypass.
(b)On or before January 1, 2027, the department shall amend its regulations to be consistent with this section.
No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.