Existing law sets forth various programs relating to opioid overdose prevention and treatment, including, among others, standing orders for the distribution of an opioid antagonist, a naloxone grant program, and a grant program to reduce fentanyl overdoses and use throughout the state. Existing law prohibits a person from possessing for sale or purchasing for purposes of sale, specified controlled substances, including fentanyl. This bill would enact the Fighting Fentanyl Bond Act of 2024, which, if adopted, would authorize the issuance, pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law, of bonds in the amount of $____, for purposes of financing, among other things, substance use treatment, harm reduction programs, supportive services for students, programs targeting drug trafficking, substance use treatment programs in prisons and juvenile facilities, and recovery housing and transitional housing for previously incarcerated individuals, as specified. The bill would provide for submission of the bond act to the voters at the November 5, 2024, statewide general election in accordance with specified law. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.
Sponsored bills
Existing law establishes various programs to address homelessness, including requiring the Governor to create an Interagency Council on Homelessness. Existing law requires the council to, among other things, identify mainstream resources, benefits, and services that can be accessed to prevent and end homelessness in California and promote systems integration to increase efficiency and effectiveness to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness. This bill would require the Governor to appoint a Statewide Homelessness Coordinator, within the Governor's office, subject to confirmation by the Senate, to serve as the lead person for ending homelessness in California. This bill would require the coordinator to perform prescribed duties, including, among others, identifying a local leader in each relevant city, county, city and county, or other jurisdiction to serve as a liaison between the coordinator and that jurisdiction, overseeing homelessness programs, services, data, and policies between federal, state, and local agencies, coordinating the timing of release of funds and applications for funding for housing and housing-based services impacting Californians experiencing homelessness, and, in collaboration with local leaders, providing annual recommendations to the Legislature and the Governor, as specified. This bill would authorize the coordinator to adjust state goals to the extent allowed by state law.
Existing law establishes the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant Program, administered by the Board of State and Community Corrections, to award competitive grants for the purpose of violence intervention and prevention. Existing law establishes the Youth Reinvestment Grant Program within the Board of State and Community Corrections to grant funds, upon appropriation, to local jurisdictions and Indian tribes for the purpose of implementing trauma-informed diversion programs for minors, as specified. Existing law requires the governing board of a school district to give diligent care to the health and physical development of pupils and authorizes the governing board of a school district to employ properly certified persons for the work. Existing law requires a school of a school district or county office of education and a charter school to notify pupils and parents or guardians of pupils no less than twice during the school year on how to initiate access to available pupil mental health services on campus or in the community, or both, as provided. Existing law requires the State Department of Public Health, in cooperation with the State Department of Education, to establish a Public School Health Center Support Program, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to assist school health centers, which are defined as centers or programs, located at or near local educational agencies, that provide age-appropriate health care services at the program site or through referrals, as specified. This bill would create the Community Violence Interdiction Grant Program to be administered by the California Health and Human Services Agency to provide funding to local community programs for community-driven solutions to decrease violence in neighborhoods and schools. The bill would specify the types of programs the grant funds may be used for, including, but not limited to, programs that create and enhance recreation- and health-based interventions for youth during peak times of violence and the creation and operation of school-based health centers. The bill would require the agency to develop an application process and criteria for funding and would require the agency to administer the grant program, as specified. The bill would require, beginning July 31, 2025, and annually thereafter, the Director of Finance and the Legislative Analyst's Office to calculate the savings to the state from the closure of state prisons, as specified, and would require the Director of Finance to certify the results of the calculation to the Controller no later than August 1 of each fiscal year. The bill would create the Community Violence Interdiction Grant Fund and would require moneys in the fund to be made available, only upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the agency for the purposes of the Community Violence Interdiction Grant Program. The bill would require that the Controller, before August 15, 2025, and annually thereafter, upon appropriation by the Legislature, transfer from the General Fund to the Community Violence Interdiction Grant Fund the total amount of savings from the closure of state prisons so calculated.
(1) Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, provides for the licensure and regulation of health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care and makes a willful violation of the act a crime. Existing law generally authorizes a health care service plan or disability insurer to use utilization review, under which a licensed physician or a licensed health care professional who is competent to evaluate specific clinical issues may approve, modify, delay, or deny requests for health care services based on medical necessity. Existing law requires these decisions to be made within 30 days, or less than 72 hours when the enrollee faces an imminent and serious threat to their health. Existing law requires a health care service plan to establish a grievance system to resolve grievances within 30 days, but limits that timeframe to 3 days when the enrollee faces an imminent and serious threat to their health. Existing law requires a plan to provide a written explanation for its grievance decisions, as specified. This bill would require that utilization review decisions be made within 72 hours from the health care service plan's receipt of the clinical information reasonably necessary to make the determination when the enrollee's condition is urgent. If the plan lacks the information reasonably necessary to make a decision regarding an urgent request, the bill would require the plan to notify the enrollee and provider about the information necessary to complete the request within 24 hours of receiving the request. The bill would require the plan to notify the enrollee and the provider of the decision within a reasonable amount of time, but not later than 48 hours after specified circumstances occur. If a health care service plan fails to make a utilization review decision, or provide notice of a decision, within the specified timelines, the bill would require the health care service plan to treat the request for authorization as a grievance and provide notice with specified information to the enrollee that a grievance has commenced, if the plan has received the information necessary to make a decision. This bill would require a plan's grievance system to include expedited review of urgent grievances, as specified. The bill would require a plan to communicate its final grievance determination within 72 hours of receipt if urgent and 30 days if nonurgent, except as specified. If a plan fails to make a utilization review decision within the applicable timelines, the bill would require a grievance to be automatically resolved in favor of the enrollee, except in specified circumstances. Because a willful violation of these provisions by a health care service plan would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (2) Existing law establishes the Independent Medical Review System in the Department of Managed Health Care to review grievances involving a disputed health care service. Existing law authorizes an enrollee to apply to the department for an independent medical review of a decision regarding health care services based in whole or in part on a finding that the disputed services are not medically necessary within 6 months of any specified qualifying periods and authorizes the director to extend that deadline if the circumstances of a case warrant the extension. This bill would extend the above deadline to 12 months beyond the specified qualifying periods. The bill would require the plan to provide specified correspondence and documents to an enrollee and their representative, if applicable, if the enrollee has submitted a grievance for review under the Independent Medical Review System. The bill would require the department to provide an enrollee and their representative a reasonable opportunity to respond to communications between the department and the plan before the grievance is resolved. The bill would prohibit the department and its independent medical review organization from engaging in ex parte communication with a plan, enrollee, or their representatives during the grievance process, except as specified. (3) Existing law provides for the regulation of disability insurers, including health insurers, by the Department of Insurance. Existing law requires a disability insurer, including an insurer that delegates utilization review or utilization management functions to medical groups, independent practice associations, or other contracting providers, to comply with specified requirements and limitations on their utilization review or utilization management functions. Existing law requires a decision to approve, modify, or deny a request by a provider before, or concurrent with, the provision of health care services to insureds to be made no more than 5 business days from the insurer's receipt of information necessary to make the determination. If the insured's condition poses an imminent and serious threat to the insured's health, existing law requires the decision to be made within no more than 72 hours. Existing law requires a decision to be communicated to the requesting provider within 24 hours of the decision, but requires a decision resulting in denial, delay, or modification of all or part of the requested health care service to be communicated within 2 business days, except as specified. This bill would limit the applicability of the above-described provisions to health insurers. The bill would require a decision to approve, modify, or deny a request by a provider before the provision of health care services to be communicated no more than 5 business days from the health insurer's receipt of the request. If the insurer lacks information reasonably necessary to make the decision, the bill would require the insurer to notify the insured and provider within 5 business days from receipt of request and to afford the insured and provider at least 45 days from receipt of that notice to provide the information. If the insured's condition is urgent, as defined, the bill would require a decision to approve, modify, or deny a request by a provider before, or concurrent with, the provision of health care services to be communicated no more than 72 hours from the insurer's receipt of the request. If the insurer lacks information reasonably necessary to make the decision, the bill would require the insurer to notify the insured and provider no later than 24 hours from receipt of request and to afford the insured and provider at least 48 hours from receipt of that notice to provide the information. The bill would require an insurer to communicate a decision to modify or deny a concurrent care request, as specified, within 24 hours from the insurer's receipt of the request. If an insurer fails to provide notice of a decision, the bill would require an insurer to treat the request as a grievance and immediately notify the insured and provider that a grievance has commenced, if the insurer has received the information necessary to make a decision. (4) Existing law establishes the Independent Medical Review System in the department to review grievances involving a disputed health care service. Existing law requires a disability insurance policy issued, amended, renewed, or delivered on or after January 1, 2000, to provide an insured with the opportunity to seek an independent medical review when health care services have been denied, modified, or delayed if the decision was based in whole or in part on a finding that the proposed health care services are not medically necessary. Existing law authorizes an insured to apply to the department for an independent medical review when specified conditions are met. If a grievance is filed internally with an insurer, this bill would require an insurer to acknowledge receipt of the grievance within 24 hours of receipt if urgent and 5 calendar days if nonurgent, and then communicate its final grievance determination within 72 hours of receipt if urgent and 30 days if nonurgent. Upon notice from the department to a health insurer that an insured has submitted a complaint to the department, the bill would require an insurer to respond within 24 hours if a complaint is urgent, or within 5 calendar days regarding a nonurgent complaint. This bill would require the department to determine whether or not a complaint is urgent, as specified, unless the insured's provider has already designated the complaint as urgent. The bill would require the insurer to offer to provide specified correspondence and documents to an insured and their representative, if applicable, if the insured has submitted a complaint or independent medical review case to the department. The bill would require the department to provide an insured and their representative a reasonable opportunity to respond to communications between the department and the insurer before the grievance is resolved. The bill would prohibit an insurer from engaging in ex parte communication with the independent medical review organization deciding a case. (5) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Existing law requires the Department of Food and Agriculture, headed by the Secretary of Food and Agriculture, to promote and protect the agricultural industry of the state. Existing law authorizes the department to expend in accordance with law all money that is made available for its use. This bill would find and declare that it is a primary goal of the state to prevent the introduction, and suppress the spread, of invasive species within its borders. The bill would require, in carrying out this goal, the department, in collaboration with relevant state agencies and stakeholders, to develop and implement strategies to detect, control, monitor, and eradicate invasive species to protect the state's agriculture, environment, and natural resources. The bill would require the department, in consultation with other relevant state agencies, to allocate funds, if available, to implement and enforce these provisions.
Existing law, the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA) , an initiative measure approved as Proposition 64 at the November 8, 2016, statewide general election, authorizes a person who obtains a state license under AUMA to engage in commercial adult-use cannabis activity pursuant to that license and applicable local ordinances. Existing law, the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA) , among other things, consolidates the licensure and regulation of commercial medicinal and adult-use cannabis activities. Existing law establishes the Department of Cannabis Control within the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency. Under existing law, the department is under the supervision and control of a director who is appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. AUMA authorizes the Legislature to amend by majority vote certain provisions of the act to implement specified substantive provisions, provided that the amendments are consistent with and further the purposes and intent of AUMA. Existing law authorizes the department to issue a mandatory recall order and to require the licensee to immediately cease distribution of cannabis or a cannabis product and recall the cannabis or cannabis product, as specified. MAUCRSA prohibits cannabis and cannabis products from being sold unless a representative sample of specified batches has been tested by a licensed testing laboratory. Existing law subjects cannabis batches to quality assurance standards and testing prior to sale at a retailer, microbusiness, or nonprofit licensed as specified. This bill would require the department to maintain on its internet website a record of all recall orders issued, as specified. The bill would make specified changes to the testing standards, including requiring testing for cannabigerolic acid and heavy metals. The bill would also subject testing laboratories to in-person audits by the department at least once every 2 years and would require the results of those audits to be posted on the department's internet website. The bill would require the department, on or before July 1, 2026, to establish standard operating procedures for conducting audits, including frequency, manner, and notification requirements. This bill would authorize a quality assurance compliance monitor to conduct random quality assurance reviews at a retailer's or a microbusiness's licensed premises to ensure the labeling and packaging of the cannabis and cannabis products conform to specified requirements.
Maddy summaryThis California Assembly resolution encourages the U.S. Congress to pass legislation creating a National Infrastructure Bank to fund critical repairs and upgrades for roads, bridges, dams, and other public works. The bill cites reports from the American Society of Civil Engineers highlighting billions of dollars in investment gaps and poor conditions affecting California's transportation and water systems. It advocates for a financing model that uses existing federal debt rather than new taxes, aiming to stimulate the economy, create jobs, and prioritize projects in disadvantaged communities. The resolution formally requests that federal leaders adopt this approach to address the state's urgent infrastructure needs.
Maddy summaryThis California House Resolution condemns the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt on former President Donald J. Trump and calls for an end to political violence. The measure highlights the event where Trump was wounded while speaking at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and notes that one attendee died and others were injured while trying to protect him. It urges the state to foster a political environment based on respectful discourse and nonviolence. The resolution is a formal statement of the Assembly's stance and does not create new laws or change existing policies.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes Filipino American History Month to recognize the long-standing contributions of Filipinos to California and the United States. It directly affects state officials and the public by designating a specific month for commemoration and education. The resolution highlights historical milestones, including early Spanish-era interactions, the development of Filipino communities in cities like Stockton and San Francisco, and the significant roles Filipinos played in agriculture, shipbuilding, and military service during World War II. By formally acknowledging these events, the bill aims to promote awareness of Filipino American heritage within the state.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates November 22, 2024, as Kimchee Day in California to honor the traditional Korean dish and its cultural significance. It acknowledges the long history of kimchee, the contributions of Korean Americans, and the dish's recognized health benefits and growing popularity in the United States. The resolution directs the Assembly's Chief Clerk to send copies of the document to the author for distribution.