Advocacy Alert: California Substance Use Disorder Bills

November 1, 2018

AB 1929: Inspector General: Rehabilitation Programs

On January 24, 2018, Assemblymember Tom Lackey introduced AB 1929.

The bill, if passed, would require the Inspector General to develop and implement a monitoring program that evaluates all rehabilitation programs operated by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The program would commence July 1, 2019, and would include substance use disorder programs. It also would require the evaluation report to include an analysis of whether the programs are evidence-based.

BHAP supports this bill. It increases the treatment standards for the SUD treatment programs operated by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and requires oversight of said performance.

We encourage those that operate in California to reach out to your representative and express your support of AB 1929.

AB 2804: Substance use disorder treatment workforce expansion

On February 16, 2018, Assemblymember Marie Waldron and Senator Jim Beall introduced AB 2804.

The bill, if passed, would create a one-year and five-year plan to expand the substance use disorder treatment workforce in California to aid the treatment of alcohol and drug use.

The bill would set out one-year goals for school districts, the California State University system, the University of California, the community college system, and the Department of Health Care Services.

The bill would also set out five-year plans to be created by the Department of Health Care Services in collaboration with other state agencies. The plans would administer grants, stipends, and loan repayment programs for counselors, peers, and licensed professionals who enroll in addiction-related coursework, with special emphasis on applicants who are able to fill identified cultural, linguistic, and geographic shortage areas.

BHAP supports this bill. It would help fund education and class availability for SUD counselors.

We encourage those that operate in California to reach out to your representative and express your support to AB 2804.

SB 1290: Substance abuse disorder treatment

On February 16, 2018, Senator Patricia Bates introduced SB 1290.

The bill, if passed, would make it unlawful for any licensee, operator, manager, consultant, employee, or patient of an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility to offer or pay a commission or other financial arrangement for referrals to or from alcohol or drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities.

BHAP opposes this bill. The changes to the Health and Safety Code suggested by SB 1290 were already solved with SB 1228, which was passed on September 26, 2018.

We encourage those that operate in California to reach out to your representative and express your opposition to this duplication of efforts.

All of these bills are currently held under submission in committee as of May 25, 2018.