Legislation to remove mandatory requirements for doctors and other health practitioners to report suspected domestic violence has been shelved by a California senate committee on Aug. 11.
Assembly Bill 2790 would remove criminal liability for health care professionals who don’t notify law enforcement when they suspect a patient has been assaulted or abused. Instead, the provider would be required to provide brief counseling and a referral to local or national domestic violence services.
Proposed by Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks (D-Berkeley) and co-authored by Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), the bill was “held in submission” by the Senate appropriations committee, meaning it will likely die unless revived before the state legislative session ends at midnight on Aug. 31….