Senator Roth’s Legislation Reforming State Medical Board Passes Senate 32-1

Sacramento— Senator Richard D. Roth’s (D-Riverside) historic reform legislation, SB 815 passed the State Senate Wednesday, 32-1.  Roth’s landmark bill revises the State’s Medical Practices Act’s cumbersome processes, empowering patients, adding transparency and sunlight to the Medical Board of California’s (Board) physician oversight and disciplinary process and guaranteeing fiscal solvency.

“This legislation is all about protecting patients, lifting up consumers and making sure that the State´s watchdog actually has teeth,” said Roth. “SB 815 improves physician oversight, which is not only important for patients, it is critical for the overwhelming majority of dedicated physicians who are upstanding and play by the rules.”

The Roth legislation:

• Restores the Board to financial solvency without using State funds.
• Creates a public member majority Board member structure.
• Streamlines the disciplinary process making it less cumbersome.
• Provides more sunlight on the enforcement process for patients and family members harmed by the Board-licensed physicians by creating a complainant liaison unit that will engage directly with the public.

SB 815 is now headed to the State Assembly for consideration.

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Senator Richard D. Roth represents the 31st State Senate District, which includes the communities of Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, March Air Reserve Base, Moreno Valley, Norco, Perris, and Riverside. Prior to his election, he served for 32 years in the United States Air Force, retiring in 2007 in the grade of Major General. More information about Senator Roth can be found at https://sd31.senate.ca.gov/