BILL NUMBER: AB 574	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Hill

                        FEBRUARY 25, 2009

   An act to add Section 1286.5 to the Health and Safety Code,
relating to health facilities.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 574, as introduced, Hill. Health facilities: smoking.
   Existing law establishes various programs for the prevention of
disease and the promotion of health to be administered by the State
Department of Public Health, including, but not limited to, a program
for the licensing and regulation of health facilities.
   Existing law, with certain exceptions, prohibits smoking in
patient care areas, waiting rooms, and visiting rooms of a health
facility. A violation of these provisions is an infraction.
   This bill would authorize the department to establish a program
with the goal of reducing the associated risks from tobacco smoke for
hospital patients, staff, and visitors, and to encourage and assist
these persons to quit smoking.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 1286.5 is added to the Health and Safety Code,
to read:
   1286.5.  The department may establish a program with the goal of
reducing the associated risks from tobacco smoke for hospital
patients, staff, and visitors, and to encourage and assist these
persons to quit smoking.