Bill > AB1037

This bill proposes several significant changes to California's laws regarding substance use disorder, overdose prevention, and treatment. First, it expands existing provisions around opioid antagonists (such as naloxone) by removing the requirement for training before distribution and allowing any person to possess, distribute, and administer these life-saving medications to someone experiencing an overdose, with protection from civil liability when acting in good faith. The bill also modifies regulations for alcohol and drug recovery facilities, requiring the state department to offer a combined licensing application by 2027 and prohibiting facilities from requiring patients to be abstinent or non-intoxicated as a condition of admission or continued treatment. Additionally, the bill redefines "drug- or alcohol-related program" to focus on assisting persons with substance use disorders, removing enforcement from its scope and eliminating previous restrictions about messaging around drug use. The legislation further clarifies that primary prevention programs can include activities aligned with evidence-based best practices and emphasizes treating substance use disorder as a health issue. These changes aim to reduce barriers to treatment, increase access to overdose prevention tools, and provide more compassionate, patient-centered approaches to addressing substance use disorders.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1037