CALA News & Views | Issue 51 | Impact

Working

Toward a Healthier Operating Environment

budget trailer bill helped increase Care Provider Management Branch (CPMB) staff and fund changes to the Guardian background check system that have made it function better for CPMB staff, Assisted Living providers and employees. Currently, the black hole “error batch” has been eliminated and it is being actively monitored and worked, clearances are happening within about three days, simplified exemptions are granted within approximately three weeks, and standard exemptions are being granted within four months. The number of calls handled by the call center have increased 44% over the last year and there has been a 60% decrease in wait times over the last year. CALA continues to meet regularly with DSS and CPMB leadership to ensure progress continues and to elevate lengthy background checks on behalf of members to get more information and help shake them loose. As DSS continues the process for developing a new background check system to replace Guardian, CALA has provided member feedback on the current features members would like to see in a new system and changes that should be considered. More to come as this multi-year effort continues. CALA has been focused on improving the Administrator Certification process which is experiencing excessive delays in processing new and renewal administrator certificates. Paper application processing and staff turnover compounded the challenges that built up during the pandemic, resulting in a 10-month backlog at one point. However, relief is on the way as CALA continues to press for change. REDUCING ADMINISTRATOR CERTIFICATION BACKLOGS

PAGA REFORM CALA was a significant early and active supporter of efforts to reform PAGA (the Private Attorneys General Act) and reduce lawsuit abuse. With a strong coalition in place, legislation to reform PAGA has been enacted, including a right to cure, changes in standing so only someone who experienced the alleged violation can sue, penalty caps, and a one-year statute of limitations, among other things. MAINTAINED INTEGRITY OF LICENSING INVESTIGATIONS In keeping with CALA’s goal to improve licensing operations and efficiencies, CALA secured amendments to AB 1911 (Reyes) that preserved integrity of investigations by not allowing complainants to accompany state staff during investigations, as the bill originally proposed. CALA also maintained opposition to costly provisions that threatened even more significant backlogs in core CCLD functions. This bill failed to make it to the governor’s desk due to significant state costs. Prevented Frivolous Allegations and Increased Litigation Costs CALA fought against legislation that threatened to increase frivolous allegations and litigation costs inevitably resulting in higher costs of care throughout the state. Working as part of a strong coalition, AB 2800 (Kalra) was stopped early in the legislative process and AB 2773 (Kalra) was ultimately vetoed by Governor Newsom, as his predecessor, Governor Brown, did in 2017.

CONTINUED BACKGROUND CHECK IMPROVEMENTS

Timely background checks are critical to the successful operation of Assisted Living communities. CALA’s leadership on last years’

CALA NEWS & VIEWS I ISSUE 51 | NOVEMBER 2024

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