SB 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 17, 2025Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 113, Statutes of 2025.
2. September 17, 2025Approved by the Governor.
3. September 15, 2025Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.
4. September 12, 2025Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 31. Noes 0. Page 2956.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
5. September 12, 2025In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
6. September 11, 2025Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 80. Noes 0. Page 3328.) Ordered to the Senate.
7. September 10, 2025Ordered to third reading.
8. September 10, 2025Withdrawn from committee.
9. September 10, 2025Assembly Rule 96 suspended. (Ayes 56. Noes 19. Page 3164.)
10. September 8, 2025From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on BUDGET.
11. March 24, 2025Referred to Com. on BUDGET.
12. March 20, 2025In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.