KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

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AB-2096 • 2026

Vocational nursing: respiratory care.

Vocational nursing: respiratory care.

Healthcare Labor Taxes
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Pacheco
Last action
2026-03-09
Official status
Referred to Com. on B. & P.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on when the new rules will take effect or training requirements for nurses performing respiratory care.

Vocational Nursing: Respiratory Care

This law allows licensed vocational nurses in California to perform respiratory tasks and services as they could before January 1, 2023.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows licensed vocational nurses to perform respiratory care based on their previous scope of practice from December 31, 2022.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Licensed vocational nurses in California
  • Patients receiving respiratory care from licensed vocational nurses

Terms To Know

Respiratory tasks and services
Activities related to helping people who have trouble breathing, like using machines or giving medicine.
Scope of practice
The specific duties a healthcare worker is allowed to do based on their training and license.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify when the new rules will take effect.
  • Does not include details about how nurses will be trained for these tasks.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-09 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on B. & P.

  2. 2026-02-19 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 21.

  3. 2026-02-18 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2096, as introduced, Pacheco.
Vocational nursing: respiratory care.
Existing law, the Vocational Nursing Practice Act, establishes the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians of the State of California to license and regulate vocational nurses and psychiatric technicians. Chapter 624 of the Statutes of 2022 (SB 1436) limited the respiratory tasks and services that a licensed vocational nurse may perform to basic respiratory tasks and services that do not require a respiratory assessment and only require manual, technical skills, or data collection, as identified by the Respiratory Care Board of California, as specified. SB 1436 and subsequent legislation have created exemptions for a licensed vocational nurse to perform respiratory tasks and services under specified circumstances that vary depending on the task or service, the nurse’s training, demonstrated competency, and employer, and the setting in which the task or service is performed,
as provided. SB 1436 became effective on January 1, 2023.
This bill, instead, would authorize a licensed vocational nurse to perform respiratory tasks and services consistent with the scope of practice of a licensed vocational nurse, as it existed on December 31, 2022. The bill would make various conforming changes, including removal of the above-described exemptions.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF