Bill Requires Physicians to Disclose Breast Implant Risks

The Assembly has passed and sent to Gov. Pete Wilson a bill to require doctors to give patients information on risks and possible adverse side effects of silicone breast implants before performing the surgery.

The legislation also would apply to collagen injections used to get rid of wrinkles.

A 41-14 vote, the bare majority required for approval, sent the measure (AB 190), sponsored by Assemblyman Bruce Bronzan (D-Fresno), to the governor’s desk. It previously passed the Senate by a 22-2 vote.

Failure to comply with the information requirement would constitute unprofessional conduct and make a doctor subject to disciplinary action.

GOVERNOR

Appointed Chris Chrystal, United Press International bureau chief in Sacramento, as associate secretary for public affairs at the state Health and Welfare Agency. A Republican, Chrystal, 49, replaces Kassy Perry, who was promoted to the post of governor’s deputy communications director.

ASSEMBLY

Floor Action

Automobile Seat Belts: Passed and sent to the governor on a 43-40 vote a bill (AB 338) by Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) to give police officers the authority to cite drivers based solely on whether the motorists are wearing seat belts.

Highway Visibility: Passed and sent to the governor on a 73-0 vote a bill (AB 122) by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar) to authorize the California Highway Patrol to shut down a highway when visibility limitations pose a significant driving hazard. This bill stems from last Thanksgiving’s multi-vehicle dust storm accident on Interstate 5 that claimed 17 lives, injured 151 people and involved 164 vehicles.

Buy American: Passed and sent to the Senate by a voice vote a resolution (ACR 115) by Assemblyman Bob Epple (D-Norwalk) urging Californians to buy American-made products to rejuvenate the economy and create jobs.

SENATE

Floor Action

Gubernatorial Appointment: Confirmed on a 30-0 vote the gubernatorial appointment of Richard Andrews as director of the state Office of Emergency Services.

Committee Action

AIDS Needle Exchange Project: The Health and Human Services Committee approved a bill (AB 2525) by Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) to authorize a pilot needle and syringe exchange project in San Francisco and other communities, if they so choose, to try to prevent the spread of the AIDS virus. A 5-2 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.

Baseball Trading Cards: The Business and Professions Committee approved a bill (AB 3597) by Assemblyman Tom Umberg (D-Garden Grove) to make it a crime to counterfeit baseball trading cards. A 7-0 vote sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee.