Committee backs SB 775 amendment to extend temporary practice allowance and require signed jurisdictional attestation

The Policy and Advocacy Committee on July 31 recommended the board support an amendment to SB 775 that would extend the board’s temporary practice allowance and add an accountability step for out‑of‑state practitioners using the allowance. SB 775 is the board’s sunset bill; staff told the committee the bill would extend the board’s Sunset date to Jan. 1, 2030 and contains multiple staff‑sponsored amendments. One amendment discussed at the committee’s request would extend the temporary practice allowance — a 30‑day allowance adopted in 2023 that allows an out‑of‑state licensee to continue treating an existing client who is visiting or relocating to California — through Jan. 1, 2030. Staff said the committee that originally created the temporary practice allowance included an initial sunset date to allow lawmakers to evaluate practical effects; the board now seeks a four‑year extension. The legislative committee handling the bill has requested an additional change: require any out‑of‑state licensee who provides services under the temporary practice allowance to submit a signed statement under penalty of perjury acknowledging the board’s jurisdiction and agreeing to comply with California law. Roseanne Helms explained the amendment is intended to strengthen accountability and make clear that the practitioner consents to California disciplinary jurisdiction; staff said enforcement is still complaint‑driven and that the signed attestation would be a statutory support for enforcement. The committee voted to recommend the board take a support position on the SB 775 amendments described in the packet, including the temporary practice‑allowance extension and the signed attestation requirement. Stakeholder representatives at the meeting indicated continued support; staff said SB 775 has passed policy committees and would next proceed through appropriations and the remaining legislative steps.