General ProvisionsGerontology and Geriatric Training for the Healing Arts

Section § 860

Explanation

This section highlights that California is facing a shortage of healthcare workers to support older adults and adults with disabilities. The Legislature wants to address this by ensuring that professionals in the healthcare field undergo specific training related to aging and long-term care. This training would be a requirement for getting or renewing a professional license.

(a)CA Business & Professions Code § 860(a) The Legislature finds and declares both of the following:
(1)CA Business & Professions Code § 860(a)(1) California’s system of care suffers from a severe shortage of professionals and paraprofessionals in the healing arts to administer programs and provide services for older adults.
(2)CA Business & Professions Code § 860(a)(2) As a result of rapidly changing age demographics in California, it is essential that we prepare a sufficient number of competent and qualified professionals and paraprofessionals in the healing arts to administer programs for, and provide services to, California’s older adults and adults with disabilities.
(b)CA Business & Professions Code § 860(b) It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to require various professionals and paraprofessionals in the healing arts to complete certain educational requirements in aging and long-term care as a condition or licensure or renewal of licensure, or both.
healthcare shortage healing arts older adults services