AB-304 • 2026

Training programs: clinical laboratories and personnel: grants.

Budget Healthcare

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Chen
Last action: 2026-02-02
Official status: From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide details on what happens if grantees do not use the funds within three years, but it requires them to expend funds within that period.

Grants for Clinical Laboratory Training Programs

This law requires the Department of Health Care Access and Information to establish a grant program that funds approved training programs for clinical laboratory personnel, if money is appropriated by the Legislature.

What This Bill Does

Establishes a new grant program for training in clinical laboratories.
Requires these grants to be used only for approved training programs.
Limits how long grantees can keep and use the grant money.

Who It Names or Affects

The Department of Health Care Access and Information
Approved clinical laboratory training programs

Terms To Know

Clinical Laboratory Personnel: People who work in labs doing tests on patient samples.
Grants: Money given by the government to support a specific purpose.

Limits and Unknowns

The grant program will only start if money is appropriated by the Legislature.
It's not clear how much money will be available for these grants.

Bill History

2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2026-01-31 California Legislative Information
Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
In committee: Held under submission.
2025-04-09 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2025-03-26 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (March 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-02-18 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on HEALTH.
2025-01-24 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee February 23.
2025-01-23 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 304, as introduced, Chen.
Training programs: clinical laboratories and personnel: grants.
Existing law establishes the State Department of Public Health within the California Health and Human Services Agency. Existing law requires the department to license and regulate clinical laboratories and various clinical laboratory personnel, including medical laboratory technicians. Existing law prohibits a person from operating a training program or course for the purpose of training clinical laboratory scientists or medical laboratory technicians without the prior approval of the department. Existing law imposes on the department specified duties related to the approval and regulation of training programs for instruction in clinical laboratory techniques.
Existing law establishes a Department of Health Care Access and Information within the California Health and Human Services Agency. Existing law authorizes the department to make grants to
develop training for new types of health professions personnel, as specified.
This bill would require the Department of Health Care Access and Information, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to establish a grant program to provide funding for qualified training programs, as defined, that are approved by the State Department of Public Health, as specified. The bill would also require a grantee to expend funds within 3 years of receiving the grant. The bill would make related findings and declarations.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF