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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 104Pt. 14Ch. 3§ 117820 Medical Waste Program Requirements

§ 117820 Medical Waste Program Requirements

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 117820 Medical Waste Program Requirements

Key Takeaways

  • •Hospitals and clinics must follow rules for handling medical waste like needles or bloody bandages.
  • •The government checks these places to make sure they’re doing it right.
  • •If they break the rules, they can get fined or even shut down.
  • •People can complain if they see medical waste being handled unsafely.

Example

A doctor’s office throws used needles in the regular trash instead of a special container.

The government can inspect the office, fine them, or take away their permit for breaking the rules.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 117820 Medical Waste Program Requirements

A medical waste management program shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following: (a) Issuing medical waste registrations and permits pursuant to the Medical Waste Management Act. (b) Processing and reviewing the medical waste management plans and inspecting onsite treatment facilities in accordance with Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 117925) for all small quantity medical waste generators required to be registered. (c) Conducting an evaluation, inspection, or records review for all facilities or persons issued a large quantity medical waste registration pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 117950) or issued a permit for an onsite medical waste treatment facility pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 118130). (d) Inspecting medical waste generators in response to complaints or emergency incidents, or as part of an investigation or evaluation of the implementation of the medical waste management plan. (e) Inspecting medical waste treatment facilities in response to a complaint or as part of an investigation or emergency incident. (f) Taking enforcement action for the suspension or revocation of medical waste permits issued by the local agency pursuant to this part. (g) Referring or initiating proceedings for civil or criminal prosecution of violations specified in Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 118335). (h) Reporting in a manner determined by the department so that the statewide effectiveness of the program can be determined. (Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 564, Sec. 26. (AB 333) Effective January 1, 2015.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

medical waste management programMedical Waste Management Actregistrations and permitslarge quantity medical waste registrationenforcement action

Related Statutes

  • § 117800 Local Medical Waste Programs
  • § 117805 Local Medical Waste Notification
  • § 117810 Local Medical Waste Programs
  • § 117815 Local Medical Waste Programs
  • § 117825 Local Medical Waste Fees

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 117820.
View Official Source