Source: California Chronicle

California Political Desk

September 4, 2007

SACRAMENTO – The Assembly today passed a plan to provide pharmacy technicians to underserved communities.

Authored by Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach, the measure now returns to the Senate to concur on amendments.

“Too many Californians are in dire need of better health-care services,” Oropeza said. “This is a win-win for professionals and the communities they serve.”

If signed into law, Senate Bill 615 would launch a self-funded plan to provide scholarships for pharmacy technicians who agree to work in communities of color, which often need additional technicians familiar with diverse ethnic, cultural and language backgrounds.

The program would be funded by a $10 fee when pharmacist technicians renew their license, which is done biennially.

SB 615 returns to the Senate for concurrence.

For more on SB 615, visit Oropeza’s Web site below.

Elected to the Assembly in 2000 and the Senate in 2006, Jenny Oropeza is one of the highest-ranking Latinos in the Legislature and chairs the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee. For more visit www.senate.ca.gov/oropeza