Wastewater testing: illicit substances.

Existing law establishes the State Department of Public Health to implement various programs throughout the state relating to public health. The department administers the CDPH Wastewater Surveillance Network Dashboard that provides an overview of ​wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in California. The dashboard includes wastewater samples collected and analyzed by the department, wastewater utilities, and academic, laboratory, and other partners across the state. This bill would require the department, in consultation with participating wastewater treatment facilities, local public health agencies, and other subject matter experts, to create a pilot program to test for high-risk substances and related treatment medications in wastewater. Under the bill, the goal of the program would be to determine how wastewater data can be used by state and local public health programs to address substance abuse in California. The bill would require the department to develop a list of target substances to be analyzed during the program that may include cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, xylazine, methadone, buprenorphine, and naloxone. The bill would require the department, on or before July 1, 2025, to solicit voluntary participation from local public health agencies and wastewater treatment facilities, as specified. The bill would require the department to work with the participating agencies and facilities to collect samples and to arrange for those samples to be tested by qualified laboratories. The bill would require the department, in consultation with public health agencies and subject matter experts, to analyze test results to determine possible public health interventions. This bill would authorize the department to utilize external funding sources to complete the pilot program. The bill would create the Wastewater Testing for Illicit Substances Pilot Program Fund for the purpose of receiving moneys from grants or voluntary donations. The bill would require the department, on or before December 31, 2027, to report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature, as specified. This bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2028.