On Monday, the Assembly and the Senate advanced two health-related bills.
Hospital Smoking Ban Bill
The Assembly voted 45-23 to pass a bill (AB 1278), by Assembly member Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo), that would ban smoking on hospital campuses, the Los Angeles Times' "PolitiCal" reports.
The measure would expand a current ban that covers hospital facilities and areas near entrances.
Hill said the bill would encourage patients, employees and visitors not to smoke, while also protecting people from the effects of secondhand smoke.
The measure now moves to the Senate (Mishak, "PolitiCal," Los Angeles Times, 1/30).
Physical Therapy Bill
Meanwhile, the Senate unanimously approved a bill (SB 924), by Sen. Curren Price (D-Inglewood), that would allow consumers to seek treatment from physical therapists without getting a referral from their physicians.
The bill also would require a physical therapist to refer patients to a physician if they need medical attention.
Under the measure, the therapist must receive physician approval to continue treating the patient if therapy extends beyond either 12 visits or 30 business days.
The bill now moves to the Assembly (AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 1/30).