Bill > AB425

This bill requires the California Department of Health Care Services to adopt the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) treatment criteria, or an equivalent evidence-based standard, as the minimum standard of care for alcohol and drug programs certified by the state. The bill builds upon existing regulations for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services, specifically within the Drug Medi-Cal organized delivery system (DMC-ODS), which aims to provide comprehensive, coordinated care for Medi-Cal-eligible individuals with substance use disorders. The legislation mandates that certified programs maintain ASAM standards for the level of care they provide and allows the department to implement these requirements through plan or provider bulletins until formal regulations are adopted. The bill's underlying intent is to support sustainable recovery for individuals seeking substance use treatment in California by ensuring that all certified SUD programs meet or exceed established professional standards. The department is required to formally adopt regulations implementing these standards by January 1, 2027, providing a clear timeline for full implementation of the new certification requirements.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB425