Patrick Dorais

The committee meeting included initial housekeeping details regarding the meeting start time adjustment. Key discussions centered on the committee's function, which is to deliberate on policies affecting BVNPT licenses, training, and scope of practice. Agenda items covered providing recommendations to the full board regarding the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) scope of practice and clarifying the Executive Officer's authority on approving program requests. Furthermore, the committee reviewed and discussed progress on the five-year strategic plan goals related to education and practice, noting that many goals, such as creating a communication plan for scope of practice inquiries and enhancing curriculum diversity, are in progress. A significant portion of the meeting focused on Agenda Item Five: discussion and possible recommendations regarding LVN scope of practice updates and proposed regulations to amend California Code of Regulations Title 16 Section 2518.5. This discussion highlighted that the current scope of practice regulation was adopted in 1995 and needs updating to reflect current practices, especially considering recent changes related to respiratory care regulations. The council provided legal context on the necessity of clearly enumerated regulations. Agenda Item Six, concerning a recommendation for expanding the committee's authority to deny school requests, was tabled for future review.

The meeting commenced with procedural announcements regarding public participation. Key discussions included action on the November 6, 2025 meeting minutes, which passed a motion to accept them. The Chair's report highlighted the introduction of the new Executive Officer, Bryce Dockerty, and detailed progress on forming working groups to review statutes and regulations concerning the duties of dental assistants. Updates were provided on legislative efforts, including collaboration with Assembly Member Wina Rambula Fresno on cleanup legislation affecting RDAs. The Executive Officer also reported on attending various inter-board meetings concerning controlled substances and provided updates on Senate leadership changes. Subsequent agenda items involved presentations and discussion regarding statistical updates on dental assisting examinations for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, licensing statistics through December, and an overview of approved and re-evaluated educational programs and courses.

The Policy and Advocacy Committee meeting convened to discuss potential statutory amendments regarding required notice to consumers. Key concerns discussed included safety risks for licensees working with incarcerated populations due to mandatory disclosure of full names and license numbers, and confusion regarding the scope of the disclosure requirement (specifically whether it applies only to ongoing psychotherapy or all activities within the scope of practice). Staff presented drafted language, modeled after Business and Professions Code section 680, to allow discretion for individual safety concerns in correctional settings and to clarify the timing of required notices. The committee generally concurred with the proposed draft language addressing clinician safety and the necessity of complaint filing processes within correctional facilities.

The meeting commenced with administrative protocols regarding public comment procedures under the open meetings act. Key agenda items included the review and possible approval of the November 13, 2025 board meeting minutes. The President's Report covered the recent diligent work advancing the board's mission, the President's reappointment, and details concerning the inaugural Hill Day meetings held with state legislators to build support for clarifying and defining DO licensing. The report also mentioned upcoming Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) activities, including a session on trauma-informed care and monitoring Artificial Intelligence regulation. The Intergovernmental Relations Report provided updates on the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) executive team, including the naming of an acting director following a retirement. It also detailed the governor's budget release, actions related to one-year postponements of renewal fees for licensees affected by the Los Angeles wildfires, and the plan to split the Business Consumer Services and Housing Agency, which impacts DCA's structure effective July 1st. Finally, administrative items included reminders on fiscal prudence in travel, required Form 700 economic interest filings, and mandatory board member training schedules (unconscious bias, president's training, and orientation training).

The board meeting commenced with quorum establishment and initial remarks thanking the host institution and staff for their dedicated work, particularly regarding the Sunset Report. Public comment included remarks from a former board member congratulating the new board composition and praising the staff's achievement with the report despite turnover. Public comment via email addressed the passing of AB489 concerning AI and healthcare professionals, leading to a board decision to schedule a future discussion on the topic. A key agenda item involved the discussion and vote on proposed language to amend Business and Professions Code section regarding fees, which sought to set new statutory caps for various fees, including initial application, renewal, limited permits, advanced practice applications, and retirement applications. The board also discussed agenda item six regarding the draft sunset report and suggestions for inclusion.