Substance use disorder treatment workforce expansion.

Existing law requires the State Department of Health Care Services to license and regulate substance use disorder programs and facilities, as specified, and provides various programs for education about and treatment of substance use disorders. This bill would state the Legislature's long-range goals through the creation of one-year and 5-year plans to expand the substance use disorder treatment workforce in California to aid in the treatment of alcohol and drug abuse. 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. The bill would also set out 5-year plans to be created by the department, in collaboration with other state agencies, including coordination with the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) to 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. This bill would make these provisions inoperative on July 1, 2027, and would repeal it as of January 1, 2028.