The California Senate has passed legislation that would impose harsher penalties on illegal medical spas that are believed to pose patient safety risks, according to a Sacramento Bee report.
Under current state law, at least 51 percent of all medical businesses must be owned and operated by a physician. Any remaining ownership must be under the name of a nurse or licensed practitioner. However, regulators are finding some medical spas that provide services, such as laser hair removal and microdermabrasion, are illegal and current penalties are not enough to sway such businesses.
The proposed legislation would increase fines and possible jail time for those who illegally operate medical spas. The bill is sponsored by Assemblywoman Wilmer Amina Carter (D-Rialto).
"Alternative patient treatment sites, often called 'medi-spas,' have and continue to be a major and often misleading presence in the medical cosmetic skin care field," she said in the report. "While the demand for cosmetic procedures is on the rise, the risk to patients resulting from inadequate supervision is unacceptable."
Under current state law, at least 51 percent of all medical businesses must be owned and operated by a physician. Any remaining ownership must be under the name of a nurse or licensed practitioner. However, regulators are finding some medical spas that provide services, such as laser hair removal and microdermabrasion, are illegal and current penalties are not enough to sway such businesses.
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The proposed legislation would increase fines and possible jail time for those who illegally operate medical spas. The bill is sponsored by Assemblywoman Wilmer Amina Carter (D-Rialto).
"Alternative patient treatment sites, often called 'medi-spas,' have and continue to be a major and often misleading presence in the medical cosmetic skin care field," she said in the report. "While the demand for cosmetic procedures is on the rise, the risk to patients resulting from inadequate supervision is unacceptable."
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