Over the past 3 long years the state of California Association of Surgical Technologist had been engaged in an effort to pass a bill to protect, promote and recognized the title to over 9000 Surgical Technologist and Certified Surgical Technologist in the state.
The first bill AB 2561, also known at the Certified Surgical Technologist Act introduced and passed the California senate and assembly on August 2012 and was vetoed by the Governor on September at the same year. To read the veto letter click here. The bill is seeking title protection, which would make it unlawful for an individual to use the title "certified surgical technologist"unless the person meets certain educational requirement and hold and maintain certification.
It was subsequently followed by another bill AB 2062, introduced on February 2014 and passed unanimously and received concurrence vote in the senate and assembly on August 25 and 26. AB 2062 with certain exemption, would have prohibited health facility from employing a surgical technologist unless the individual possesses specified training and a certification establishing a minimum standard for surgical technologist. The bill will also grandfathered in current surgical technologist and given new graduates up to a year to achieve certification. Unfortunately, Governor Brown once again chose not to sign and vetoed the bill on September 30. In his veto letter, the Governor expresses concern that a new certification requirement enforced by hospital could introduce an unnecessary barrier to employment.
Both bill were authored and introduced by Assembly Member Roger Hernandez (D) with the latest bill sponsored by the California State Council of Service Employees International Union (SEIU local 1000). According to the bill analysis, surgical technologist are the only member of the surgical team with no mandated minimum level of education, training and certification and that what Assembly Member Hernandez is attempting to fill in the gap.
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