(a) The purposes of this chapter are to provide for the licensure of hospices by the state department in order to ensure the health and safety of patients, who by definition, are experiencing the last phases of life due to the existence of a terminal disease, and to permit qualified persons, political subdivisions of the state, and governmental agencies to comply with requirements of federal law regarding the provision of hospice care.
(b) In enacting this chapter, it is the intent of the Legislature to allow all qualified persons, political subdivisions of the state, and governmental agencies to provide hospice services to the people of California. It is also the intent of the Legislature to distinguish between the functions of a volunteer hospice and a hospice requiring licensure. It is further the intent of the Legislature to require the state department to establish standards of quality care for licensed hospices.
(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that regulations adopted by the state department pursuant to this chapter not be so burdensome or costly, or both, in terms of implementation, that hospices located in rural areas are forced to stop providing care. Therefore, the state department shall exercise discretion and program flexibility in regard to licensing hospices which are located in rural areas of the state.
(Added by Stats. 1990, Ch. 1343, Sec. 1.)