AB 160: Background checks.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

(1)Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons. Existing law establishes the Osteopathic Medical Board of California and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of osteopathic physicians and surgeons consistent with the Osteopathic Act, as specified.

This bill would require those boards to require each applicant to furnish a full set of fingerprints for purposes of conducting criminal history record checks. The bill would require the board to submit those fingerprint images and related information to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and would require the DOJ to charge a fee for those costs, as prescribed.

Existing law requires medical school graduates, within 180 days after beginning a board-approved postgraduate program, to obtain a physician’s and surgeon’s postgraduate training license. Existing law requires each application to include either fingerprint cards or a copy of a completed Live Scan form from the applicant in order to establish the identity of the applicant and whether the applicant has a criminal conviction, in accordance with specified provisions.

This bill would delete the above provisions on using that information in order to establish the applicant’s identity and criminal conviction records. The bill would instead require those boards to submit to the DOJ fingerprint images and related information required by the DOJ of all applicants to determine whether the applicant has a criminal conviction record, as specified. The bill would require the DOJ to provide a state- and federal-level response, as described.

Existing law requires each application for a medical license to contain specified information including either fingerprint cards or a copy of a completed Live Scan form from the applicant in order to establish the applicant’s identity and criminal conviction records.

This bill would delete the above provisions on using that information in order to establish the applicant’s identity and criminal conviction records. The bill would instead require those boards to submit to the DOJ fingerprint images and related information required by the DOJ of all applicants to determine whether the applicant has a criminal conviction record, as specified. The bill would require the DOJ to provide a state- and federal-level response, as described.

Sponsors

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. September 13, 2025Ordered to inactive file at the request of Senator Grayson.
2. September 11, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
3. September 10, 2025From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (September 10).
4. September 8, 2025From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on B. & F. R.
5. September 8, 2025Senate Rule 29.3(b) suspended. (Ayes 28. Noes 8. Page 2568.)
6. April 2, 2025Referred to Com. on B. & F. R.
7. March 20, 2025In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
8. March 20, 2025Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 53. Noes 17. Page 743.)
9. March 18, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
10. March 17, 2025(Ayes 53. Noes 17. Page 643.)
11. March 17, 2025Ordered to second reading.
12. March 17, 2025Withdrawn from committee.