Amended  IN  Assembly  May 04, 2020

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 2876

Introduced by Assembly Member Waldron

February 21, 2020

An act relating to substance abuse. An act to add and repeal Section 11839.35 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to substance use disorder.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 2876, as amended, Waldron. Substance abuse treatment. Narcotic treatment: medication-assisted treatment.
Existing law requires the State Department of Health Care Services to license narcotic treatment programs to use narcotic replacement therapy and medication-assisted treatment in the treatment of addicted persons. Existing law specifies the medications that a licensed narcotic treatment program may use for narcotic replacement therapy and medication-assisted treatment.
This bill would require the department, on or before January 10, 2022, to report to the Legislature specified information regarding the California Medication Assisted Treatment Program Expansion Project, including among other things, the number of patients, by county, treated through the program. The bill would repeal this reporting requirement on January 1, 2024.

Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities, as defined, by the State Department of Health Care Services.

This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to reduce substance abuse.

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NOYES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 11839.35 is added to the Health and Safety Code, immediately following Section 11839.3, to read:

11839.35.
 (a) On or before January 10, 2022, the State Department of Health Care Services shall report to the Legislature all of the following information regarding the California Medication Assisted Treatment Program Expansion Project:
(1) A summary of the department’s efforts to recruit and train medical professionals through the program.
(2) The number, name, and location of all facilities receiving funding through the program.
(3) The number of patients, by county, treated through the program.
(4) A medication-assisted treatment needs assessment, detailing underserved counties that would benefit from additional services or funding.
(b) The report shall be transmitted to the Legislature in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(c)  This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2024, and as of that date is repealed.

SECTION 1.

It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to reduce substance abuse.