Bill > SB490

This bill aims to strengthen oversight of alcohol and drug recovery or treatment facilities and address potential issues within the victim compensation system. It mandates that the State Department of Public Health (DPH) investigate allegations of unlicensed facilities operating within stricter timelines, initiating investigations within 10 days and generally completing them within 60 days, and will notify complainants if a complaint falls outside its jurisdiction. The bill also requires DPH to conduct follow-up site visits to ensure unlicensed facilities cease operations and allows county behavioral health agencies, in specific circumstances, to request approval to conduct site visits of alleged unlicensed recovery residences. Furthermore, licensed facilities and certified programs must now report all financial transfers to recovery residences annually, starting July 15, 2026, to help detect improper practices like patient brokering, and DPH will analyze this data to develop guidelines. Regarding victim compensation, the bill modifies the process for individuals seeking compensation for wrongful convictions by allowing prosecutors to rely solely on the trial record to argue against a claim if they believe it clearly demonstrates guilt, and it extends objection periods for both district attorneys and the Attorney General, while also prohibiting compensation for erroneous convictions of serious or violent felonies and prioritizing restitution payments.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB490