ASSEMBLY BILL 2537: Mandatory 3 Month Supply of PPE Products

On September 29, 2020 California Governor, Gavin Newsom, approved Bill 2537 that requires public and private employers in general acute care hospital to ensure that the employees use personal protective equipment supplied for them. The Bill would further require that employers, beginning April 1, 2021, maintain a supply of specified equipment in an amount equal to 3 months of normal consumption. 

On or before January 15, 2021, general acute care hospitals have to prepare a report for the Department of Industrial Relations, under penalty of perjury, its highest 7-day consecutive daily average consumption of PPE during the calendar year (2019). The Bill also requires an employer to establish and implement effective written procedures for determining the quantity and types of equipment used during normal consumption. 

By April 1, 2021, an employer shall maintain a stockpile of the following equipment in the amount equal to three month of normal consumption, or risk being fined $25,000 for each violation. 

The items required to be in the hospital stock pile are listed below:

1. N95 filtering facepiece respirators

2. Powered air-purifying respirators with high efficiency particulate air filters 

3. Elastomeric air-purifying respirators with high efficiency particulate air filters

4. Surgical masks 

5. Isolation gowns

6. Eye protection 

7. Shoe coverings

Read the full Assembly Bill No. 2537 here.

Now is the perfect time to stock up before the deadline of April 1, 2021. Most non-medical companies who supplied PPE during the pandemic are looking to get rid of their inventory before it’s too late and the price drops significantly. Look for local suppliers that can bundle these products for better pricing and for companies that are looking to get rid of the previously mentioned items. Beware of counterfeit products and try to always ask for a sample if possible.