In the News

March 26, 2024

Community college leaders will once again attempt to offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing, renewing a fight with the state’s universities over whether expanding to the two-year sector eases California’s nurses shortage or increases competition.

The bill, authored by state Sen. Richard Roth, D-Riverside, would allow 15 yet-to-be-selected community college districts that already provide associate degrees in nursing to offer bachelor’s degrees in the field. 

March 25, 2024

The oddly twinned massive impacts of the C0VID-19 pandemic and the cost of housing in California sometimes seem to affect literally every facet of living in our home state.

And one of those facets is a shortage of nurses here even as our population skews older and healthcare becomes an even more vital need.

February 20, 2024

Sacramento — To help address California’s shortage of registered nurses Sen. Richard D Roth (D-Riverside) has introduced Senate Bill 895 which creates a pilot program that authorizes the chancellor of the Community Colleges to select up to 15 community college districts, with existing nationally accredited Associate Degree in Nursing or ADN, programs to offer a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing or BSN degree to 25% of existing ADN classes, or 35 students, whichever is greater. 

February 12, 2024

By Erica Carbajal

Lawmakers in California have introduced a bill to create a pilot program that would allow up to 15 community colleges in the state to offer a Bachelor of Science in nursing — a measure meant to address limited capacity within nursing schools and expand access to affordable programs. 

Senate Bill 895, introduced by Sen. Richard Roth, would authorize the Chancellor of the Community Colleges to select up to 15 community college districts in the state that already offer associate degree in nursing programs to also offer BSNs.

February 09, 2024

By  Sara Weissman

California community colleges could begin offering bachelor’s degree programs in nursing under a new pilot program proposed in a recent state Senate bill.

Community college leaders are celebrating the bill as a way to expand access to more affordable bachelor of science in nursing (B.S.N.) programs and fill critical nursing shortages in the state. California State University officials, however, have expressed concerns that new programs will cause undue competition.

February 07, 2024

By Toni McCallister

RIVERSIDE, CA — California's nursing shortage continues to be felt. One state Senator has an idea to help boost the numbers, and he's generated support from places most impacted by his proposal.

Sen. Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside) introduced Senate Bill 895 last month. If passed, the legislation would authorize the Chancellor of the Community Colleges to select up to 15 community college districts to offer Bachelor of Science degrees in nursing.

October 13, 2023

By Toni McAllister, Patch Staff

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A bill that authorizes the creation of the first National Guard Youth Challenge Program in Riverside County was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom this week.

October 07, 2023

Senator Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside) has secured $500,000 in state funds for the Riverside Arts Academy. The money will support arts education programs, musical instruments, equipment, and facilities. The Academy is a well-known arts mentoring program. It offers access to the arts for underserved youth aged 4-17, with a focus on music.

September 15, 2023

By Melody Gutierrez

When Angela Contreras complained to the state’s medical board in the fall that a Long Beach doctor had left gauze in her brother’s abdomen during surgery, she waited — and waited — for the board to respond.

Nearly a year after sending the board detailed medical records of the complications that ensued in her brother’s case, she received a form letter stating the board was “unable to meet the burden of proof required to pursue administrative action.” It offered no details on why the medical records she had provided had been insufficient.

August 25, 2023

By Annie Sciacca, KFF HEALTH NEWS

California doctors and state lawmakers are squaring off once again over the future of the Medical Board of California, which is responsible for licensing and disciplining doctors and has been criticized by patient advocates for years for being too lax.

A bill before the legislature would significantly increase the fees doctors pay to fund the medical board, which says it hasn’t had the budget to carry out its mission properly. It would also mandate new procedures for investigating complaints.