Substance abuse disorder treatment.

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. Existing law restricts a licensee from operating an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility beyond the conditions and limitations specified on the license. This bill would make it unlawful for any licensee, operator, manager, consultant, employee, or patient of an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility, or any other person to, among other things, offer or pay a commission, benefit, bonus, rebate, kickback, or bribe, or engage in any split-fee arrangement to induce the referral of a patient or patronage to or from an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility, or to solicit or receive a commission, benefit, bonus, rebate, kickback, or bribe in return for referring a patient or patronage to or from an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility. The bill would establish the Commission on Substance Abuse and Recovery to provide comprehensive recommendations to the Legislature to create a coordinated and unified effort among state and local agencies to effectively confront the statewide addiction and substance abuse crisis with appropriate care and consideration of local effects. The bill would also state the intent of the Legislature to encourage public and private sector businesses and organizations providing substance use disorder treatment and supportive services, including in residential settings, to provide those treatments and services with integrity and to ensure the quality of life for patients and individuals receiving these services.