Existing law requires the State Department of Health Care Services to license and regulate adult alcohol or other drug recovery or treatment facilities that provide residential nonmedical services, as specified, and further requires the department to certify and regulate alcohol and other drug programs, as specified.

This bill would require an alcohol or other drug treatment facility and an alcohol or other drug program to participate in a public consumer protection platform, as defined, designated or designed by the department in order to be licensed or certified. The bill would specify that participation in the public consumer protection platform pursuant to these provisions is only required if the department determines that sufficient funding has been appropriated or otherwise secured to cover the costs of participation in the platform, as specified. The bill would authorize the department to charge a reasonable fee to alcohol or other drug treatment facilities and alcohol or other drug programs required to enroll in the platform, as specified, and would prohibit the administrator of the public consumer protection platform from accepting payment from the entities subject to these provisions. The bill would authorize the department to verify compliance with participation in the public consumer protection platform as part of the certification or licensing process. The bill would prohibit participation in the consumer protection platform from being used as a criterion in evaluating bids, proposals, network participation, reimbursement, or contract performance for publicly funded substance use disorder treatment services. The bill would require the consumer protection platform, if managed by an entity other than the department, to collect and publicly display information from each participating treatment provider on the providers adoption of evidence-based practices in substance use disorder care, as specified. The bill would authorize the department to implement, interpret, or make specific those provisions by means of provider bulletins, written guidelines, or similar instructions.

Existing law requires the State Department of Health Care Services to license and regulate adult alcohol or other drug recovery or treatment facilities that provide residential nonmedical services, as specified, and further requires the department to certify and regulate alcohol and other drug programs, as specified.

This bill would require an alcohol or other drug treatment facility and an alcohol or other drug program to participate in a public consumer protection platform platform, as defined, designated or designed by the department in order to be licensed or certified. The bill would specify that participation in the public consumer protection platform pursuant to these provisions is only required if the department determines that sufficient funding has been appropriated or otherwise secured to cover the costs of participation in the platform, as specified. The bill would authorize the department to charge a reasonable fee to alcohol or other drug treatment facilities and alcohol or other drug programs required to enroll in the platform, as specified, and would prohibit the administrator of the public consumer protection platform from accepting payment from the entities subject to these provisions. The bill would authorize the department to verify compliance with participation in the public consumer protection platform as part of the certification or licensing process. The bill would prohibit participation in the consumer protection platform from being used as a criterion in evaluating bids, proposals, network participation, reimbursement, or contract performance for publicly funded substance use disorder treatment services. The bill would require the consumer protection platform, if managed by an entity other than the department, to collect and publicly display information from each participating treatment provider on the providers adoption of evidence-based practices in substance use disorder care, as specified. The bill would authorize the department to implement, interpret, or make specific those provisions by means of provider bulletins, written guidelines, or similar instructions.

Existing law requires the State Department of Health Care Services to license and regulate adult alcohol or other drug recovery or treatment facilities that provide residential nonmedical services, as specified, and further requires the department to certify and regulate alcohol and other drug programs, as specified.

This bill would require an alcohol or other drug treatment facility and an alcohol or other drug program to participate in a public consumer protection platform designated or designed by the department in order to be licensed or certified. The bill would specify that participation in the public consumer protection platform pursuant to these provisions is only required if the department determines that sufficient funding has been appropriated or otherwise secured to cover the costs of participation in the platform. platform, as specified. The bill would authorize the department to charge a reasonable fee to alcohol or other drug treatment facilities and alcohol or other drug programs required to enroll in the platform, as specified, and would prohibit the administrator of the public consumer protection platform from accepting payment from the entities subject to these provisions. The bill would authorize the department to verify compliance with participation in the public consumer protection platform as part of the certification or licensing process. The bill would prohibit participation in the consumer protection platform from being used as a criterion in evaluating bids, proposals, network participation, reimbursement, or contract performance for publicly funded substance use disorder treatment services. The bill would authorize the department to implement, interpret, or make specific those provisions by means of provider bulletins, written guidelines, or similar instructions.

Existing law requires the State Department of Health Care Services to license and regulate adult alcohol or other drug recovery or treatment facilities that provide residential nonmedical services, as specified, and further requires the department to certify and regulate alcohol and other drug programs, as specified.

This bill would require an alcohol or other drug treatment facility and an alcohol or other drug program to participate in a public quality rating system consumer protection platform designated or designed by the department in order to be licensed or certified. The bill would specify that participation in the public quality rating system consumer protection platform pursuant to these provisions is only required if the department determines that sufficient funding has been appropriated or otherwise secured to cover the costs of participation in the platform. The bill would authorize the department to charge a reasonable fee to alcohol or other drug treatment facilities and alcohol or other drug programs required to enroll in the platform, as specified, and would prohibit the administrator of the public quality rating system consumer protection platform from accepting payment from the entities subject to these provisions. The bill would authorize the department to verify compliance with participation in the public quality rating system consumer protection platform as part of the certification or licensing process. The bill would prohibit participation in the consumer protection platform from being used as a criterion in evaluating bids, proposals, or contract performance for publicly funded substance use disorder treatment services. The bill would authorize the department to implement, interpret, or make specific those provisions by means of provider bulletins, written guidelines, or similar instructions.

Existing law provides for certification and regulation, by the State Department of Health Care Services, of alcohol or other drug programs. Existing law provides that a certification is valid for a period of 2 years from the date of issuance.

This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to these provisions.

GOVERNOR'S VETO

GV Bill Id:AB 2343

Author:(Patel)

As Enrolled Ver:August 27, 2026

2/3 vote

SUMMARY

Requires a licensed alcohol or other drug (AOD) recovery or treatment facility (RTF) and a certified AOD program to participate in a public consumer protection platform designated or designed by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) in order to be licensed or certified. Authorizes DHCS to charge a reasonable fee to AOD RTFs and programs required to enroll in the platform, as specified, and prohibits the administrator of the consumer protection platform, if DHCS contracts with an external administrator, from accepting payment from the entities participating under this bill. Exempts from participation in the consumer protection platform licensed AOD RTFs and certified AOD programs contracted to provide Medi-Cal treatment services or contracted with DHCS, a county behavioral health department, or a county substance use disorder (SUD) division for the provision of SUD services.

Senate Amendments

1. Establish minimum requirements for a "consumer protection platform" as defined for the purposes of this bill.
2. Require all costs associated with the development, implementation, operation, maintenance, oversight, auditing, and enforcement of the consumer protection platform to be fully covered by the fees collected pursuant to this bill or other specifically appropriated funds, and prohibits the costs from being subsidized through increases to existing licensing or certification fees or through other departmental fee structures. Prohibit participation from being required if sufficient funding is not available to fully support the consumer protection platform without increasing existing licensing and certification fees.
3. Require the consumer protection platform, if managed by an entity other than DHCS, to collect and publicly display information from each participating treatment provider on the provider's adoption of evidence-based practices in SUD care.
4. Add findings and declarations.

Governor's Veto Message

While I appreciate the author's intent to help those struggling with addiction find high-quality treatment, this bill is duplicative of existing efforts. In 2023, as part of the state's broader response to the opioid crisis, California launched a free, confidential platform - known as the Treatment Atlas - to help people find and compare addiction treatment options. The 2026 Budget Act provided additional funding for DHCS to continue it through September 30, 2027, making this bill unnecessary.

COMMENTS

Prevalence of SUD in California. A 2024 publication from Health Management Associates and the California Health Care Foundation titled, "Substance Use Disorder in California — a Focused Landscape Analysis" reported that approximately 9% of Californians ages 12 years and older met the criteria for SUD in 2022. According to the report, the prevalence of SUD among individuals 12 years of age and older increased to 8.8% in 2022 from 8.1% in 2015. While the health care system is moving toward acknowledging SUD as a chronic illness, only 6% of Americans and 10% of Californians ages 12 and older with an SUD received treatment for their condition in 2021. More than 19,335 Californians ages 12 years and older died from the effects of alcohol from 2020 to 2021, and the total annual number of alcohol-related deaths increased by approximately 18% in the state from 2020 to 2021. Overdose deaths from both opioids and psychostimulants (such as amphetamines), are soaring. This issue, compounded by the increased availability of fentanyl, has resulted in a 10-fold increase in fentanyl related deaths between 2015 and 2019. According to the Overdose Prevention Initiative, 7,847 opioid-related overdose deaths occurred in California in 2023, and preliminary data shows 5,030 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2025.

DHCS partnership with Shatterproof. According to the 2023 announcement of the partnership from DHCS, Shatterproof is a national nonprofit that helps people find high-quality treatment, including outpatient, intensive outpatient, residential, and hospital inpatient addiction treatment, for SUDs. DHCS and Shatterproof partnered on a public awareness campaign, Unshame California, to promote anti-stigma messaging regarding SUDs. They have also partnered on the Treatment Atlas, an addiction treatment locator, assessment, and standards platform that connects individuals to appropriate evidence-based addiction treatment. The platform is a web-based platform developed and managed by Shatterproof, based on such criteria as location, use of best practices, types of treatment offered, accepted insurers (including commercial and government sponsored coverage), payment options, specialty populations served, and patient experiences. Treatment Atlas is informed and endorsed by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). On the platform, people can assess their risk and severity, which allows them to receive initial guidance on which addiction treatment options might be best for them.

Alcohol and Drug Treatment Facility Licensing. DHCS has sole authority to license RTFs in the state. Licensure is required when at least one of the following services is provided: withdrawal management services; group sessions; individual sessions; educational sessions; or, alcoholism or other drug abuse recovery or treatment planning. Additionally, facilities may be subject to other types of permits, clearances, business taxes, or local fees that may be required by the cities or counties in which the facilities are located. As part of their licensing function, DHCS conducts reviews of RTF operations every two years, or as necessary. DHCS's Substance Use Disorder Compliance Division checks for compliance with statute and regulations (Title 9, Chapter 5, California Code of Regulations) to ensure the health and safety of RTF residents and investigates all complaints related to RTFs, including deaths, complaints against staff, and allegations of operating without a license. DHCS has the authority to suspend or revoke a license for conduct in the operation of an RTF that is contrary to the health, morals, welfare, or safety of either an individual in, or receiving services from, the facility or to the people of the State of California.

AOD Program Certification. Prior to January 1, 2025, programs were permitted to seek certification from DHCS. Under AB 118 (Committee on Budget), Chapter 42, Statutes of 2023, certification is now a requirement for many AOD programs, with exceptions for various licensed facility types, schools, jails, and prisons. Programs were required to apply for certification no later than January 1, 2024. If DHCS finds evidence that a program is providing treatment, recovery, withdrawal management services, or medication-assisted treatment services without a certification, DHCS must issue a written notice to the program stating that it is operating in violation of the law, and any person or entity found to be operating without certification may be subject to an assessment of civil penalties of two thousand ($2,000) dollars per day and will be barred from applying for initial certification for a period of five years from the date of the violation notice.

Licensing and Certification Fees. Existing law authorizes DHCS to increase the licensing and certification fees for AOD programs and facilities. Section 57 of SB 104 (Skinner), Chapter 104, Statutes of 2023, amended the Budget Act of 2023 and directs DHCS to increase those fees by up to 20% each fiscal year (FY) through FY 2026-27 to reach a cumulative fee increase of 75%. In a Behavioral Health Information Notice (BHIN No. 26-004) released in February 2026, DHCS announced that current licensing and certification fees are not sufficient to support current or planned expenses incurred by DHCS for SUD licensing and certification activities, and the fees would be increasing 20%, as directed by the Legislature. Licensure and certification activities include, but are not limited to, review and processing of initial, extension, and supplemental applications; initial and biennial onsite compliance reviews; complaint investigations; administrative support; disseminating information to the public, governmental agencies, and stakeholders; updating and maintaining databases; policy, regulatory, and statutory development; provider training and technical assistance; and appeal processing for revocation or suspension of providers' licenses and/or certification.

SUD services in Medi-Cal. The Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) requires that counties provide access to a full continuum of SUD services modeled after the ASAM criteria. Services provided under the DMC-ODS are more comprehensive than the limited set of services provided under the standard Drug Medi-Cal program. DMC-ODS builds on the standard program by expanding services to include case management, multiple levels of residential SUD treatment, withdrawal management, recovery services, physician consultation, and the option to provide medication-assisted treatment and partial hospitalization. DMC-ODS is a voluntary "opt-in" program for counties, allowing them to provide a more robust and integrated system of care than what was available under the standard Drug Medi-Cal program. As of January 1, 2025, 40 counties participate in DMC-ODS.

According to the Author

To properly address addiction and SUD, the existence of treatment programs is not enough; high-quality care must be accessible. When someone is ready to seek help, they should be able to find every licensed option available to them, compare programs based on their needs, and know with confidence that the facility they choose is operating legally. The author contends that, right now, California has the infrastructure to make this possible, but voluntary participation leaves the directory incomplete and leaves patients to navigate a fragmented marketplace of unverified options at the most vulnerable moment of their lives.

Arguments in Support

Shatterproof supports this bill stating that families seeking addiction treatment are often doing so at one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Yet too many Californians lack access to clear, reliable information about the quality of treatment options available to them. Without transparency, individuals and families are left to navigate a complex and confusing system, one in which the consequences of misinformation can be devastating. Shatterproof argues that its Treatment Atlas, an online portal available to Californians, was created to address this gap by providing standardized, evidence-based information about addiction treatment providers. However, because participation is voluntary, as many as two-thirds of treatment facilities do not publicly report their quality data. As a result, families often cannot compare programs or determine whether services align with best practices. Shatterproof argues this bill would address this problem by requiring SUD treatment facilities that do not accept Medi-Cal to report quality data to a centralized, publicly accessible system.

Arguments in Opposition

None on file.

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, unknown ongoing costs, potentially low millions, for DHCS to establish and maintain the platform (Residential and Outpatient Program Licensing Fund). While the bill would authorize DHCS to charge fees to cover the costs, the department may need one-time General Fund dollars for initial start-up costs until the new fee structure is established.

VOTES

ASM HEALTH: 16-0-0

YES: Bonta, Chen, Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Caloza, Carrillo, Mark González, Johnson, Patel, Patterson, Rogers, Sanchez, Schiavo, Sharp-Collins, Stefani

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 13-0-2

YES: Wicks, Hoover, Aguiar-Curry, Calderon, Caloza, Dixon, Fong, Mark González, Krell, Pacheco, Pellerin, Sharp-Collins, Solache

ABS, ABST OR NV: Ta, Tangipa

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-1-3

YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Johnson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas

NO: DeMaio

ABS, ABST OR NV: Celeste Rodriguez, Ta, Tangipa

SENATE FLOOR: 40-0-0

YES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Arreguín, Ashby, Becker, Blakespear, Cabaldon, Caballero, Cervantes, Choi, Cortese, Dahle, Durazo, Gonzalez, Grayson, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, McNerney, Menjivar, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Pérez, Reyes, Richardson, Rubio, Seyarto, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Strickland, Umberg, Valladares, Wahab, Weber Pierson, Wiener

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 75-1-3

YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Johnson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas

NO: DeMaio

ABS, ABST OR NV: McKinnor, Ta, Tangipa

UPDATED

VERSION: August 27, 2026

CONSULTANT: Logan Hess / HEALTH / (916) 319-2097 FN: 0004605

CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS

CSA1 Bill Id:AB 2343

Author:(Patel)

As Amended Ver:July 2, 2026

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Requires a licensed alcohol or other drug (AOD) recovery or treatment facility (RTF) and a certified AOD program to participate in a public consumer protection platform designated or designed by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) in order to be licensed or certified. Authorizes DHCS to charge a reasonable fee to AOD RTFs and programs required to enroll in the platform, as specified, and prohibits the administrator of the consumer protection platform, if DHCS contracts with an external administrator, from accepting payment from the entities participating under this bill. Exempts from participation in the consumer protection platform licensed AOD RTFs and certified AOD programs contracted to provide Medi-Cal treatment services or contracted with DHCS, a county behavioral health department, or a county substance use disorder (SUD) division for the provision of SUD services.

Senate Amendments

1. Establish minimum requirements for a "consumer protection platform" as defined for the purposes of this bill.
2. Require all costs associated with the development, implementation, operation, maintenance, oversight, auditing, and enforcement of the consumer protection platform to be fully covered by the fees collected pursuant to this bill or other specifically appropriated funds, and prohibits the costs from being subsidized through increases to existing licensing or certification fees or through other departmental fee structures. Prohibit participation from being required if sufficient funding is not available to fully support the consumer protection platform without increasing existing licensing and certification fees.
3. Require the consumer protection platform, if managed by an entity other than DHCS, to collect and publicly display information from each participating treatment provider on the provider's adoption of evidence-based practices in SUD care.
4. Add findings and declarations.

COMMENTS

Prevalence of SUD in California. A 2024 publication from Health Management Associates and the California Health Care Foundation titled, "Substance Use Disorder in California — a Focused Landscape Analysis" reported that approximately 9% of Californians ages 12 years and older met the criteria for SUD in 2022. According to the report, the prevalence of SUD among individuals 12 years of age and older increased to 8.8% in 2022 from 8.1% in 2015. While the health care system is moving toward acknowledging SUD as a chronic illness, only 6% of Americans and 10% of Californians ages 12 and older with an SUD received treatment for their condition in 2021. More than 19,335 Californians ages 12 years and older died from the effects of alcohol from 2020 to 2021, and the total annual number of alcohol-related deaths increased by approximately 18% in the state from 2020 to 2021. Overdose deaths from both opioids and psychostimulants (such as amphetamines), are soaring. This issue, compounded by the increased availability of fentanyl, has resulted in a 10-fold increase in fentanyl related deaths between 2015 and 2019. According to the Overdose Prevention Initiative, 7,847 opioid-related overdose deaths occurred in California in 2023, and preliminary data shows 5,030 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2025.

DHCS partnership with Shatterproof. According to the 2023 announcement of the partnership from DHCS, Shatterproof is a national nonprofit that helps people find high-quality treatment, including outpatient, intensive outpatient, residential, and hospital inpatient addiction treatment, for SUDs. DHCS and Shatterproof partnered on a public awareness campaign, Unshame California, to promote anti-stigma messaging regarding SUDs. They have also partnered on the Treatment Atlas, an addiction treatment locator, assessment, and standards platform that connects individuals to appropriate evidence-based addiction treatment. The platform is a web-based platform developed and managed by Shatterproof, based on such criteria as location, use of best practices, types of treatment offered, accepted insurers (including commercial and government sponsored coverage), payment options, specialty populations served, and patient experiences. Treatment Atlas is informed and endorsed by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). On the platform, people can assess their risk and severity, which allows them to receive initial guidance on which addiction treatment options might be best for them. DHCS states that Treatment Atlas improves upon services provided by other addiction treatment locators and uses objective data, strict validation protocols, and patient reporting to focus on what is best for the consumer, not the bottom line.

Alcohol and Drug Treatment Facility Licensing. DHCS has sole authority to license RTFs in the state. Licensure is required when at least one of the following services is provided: withdrawal management services; group sessions; individual sessions; educational sessions; or, alcoholism or other drug abuse recovery or treatment planning. Additionally, facilities may be subject to other types of permits, clearances, business taxes, or local fees that may be required by the cities or counties in which the facilities are located.

As part of their licensing function, DHCS conducts reviews of RTF operations every two years, or as necessary. DHCS's Substance Use Disorder Compliance Division checks for compliance with statute and regulations (Title 9, Chapter 5, California Code of Regulations) to ensure the health and safety of RTF residents and investigates all complaints related to RTFs, including deaths, complaints against staff, and allegations of operating without a license. DHCS has the authority to suspend or revoke a license for conduct in the operation of an RTF that is contrary to the health, morals, welfare, or safety of either an individual in, or receiving services from, the facility or to the people of the State of California.

AOD Program Certification. Prior to January 1, 2025, programs were permitted to seek certification from DHCS. Under AB 118 (Committee on Budget), Chapter 42, Statutes of 2023, certification is now a requirement for many AOD programs, with exceptions for various licensed facility types, schools, jails, and prisons. Programs were required to apply for certification no later than January 1, 2024. If DHCS finds evidence that a program is providing treatment, recovery, withdrawal management services, or medication-assisted treatment services without a certification, DHCS must issue a written notice to the program stating that it is operating in violation of the law, and any person or entity found to be operating without certification may be subject to an assessment of civil penalties of two thousand ($2,000) dollars per day and will be barred from applying for initial certification for a period of five years from the date of the violation notice.

Licensing and Certification Fees. Existing law authorizes DHCS to increase the licensing and certification fees for AOD programs and facilities. Section 57 of SB 104 (Skinner), Chapter 104, Statutes of 2023, amended the Budget Act of 2023 and directs DHCS to increase those fees by up to 20% each fiscal year (FY) through FY 2026-27 to reach a cumulative fee increase of 75%. In a Behavioral Health Information Notice (BHIN No. 26-004) released in February 2026, DHCS announced that current licensing and certification fees are not sufficient to support current or planned expenses incurred by DHCS for SUD licensing and certification activities, and the fees would be increasing 20%, as directed by the Legislature. Licensure and certification activities include, but are not limited to, review and processing of initial, extension, and supplemental applications; initial and biennial onsite compliance reviews; complaint investigations; administrative support; disseminating information to the public, governmental agencies, and stakeholders; updating and maintaining databases; policy, regulatory, and statutory development; provider training and technical assistance; and appeal processing for revocation or suspension of providers' licenses and/or certification.

SUD services in Medi-Cal. The Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) requires that counties provide access to a full continuum of SUD services modeled after the ASAM criteria. Services provided under the DMC-ODS are more comprehensive than the limited set of services provided under the standard Drug Medi-Cal program. DMC-ODS builds on the standard program by expanding services to include case management, multiple levels of residential SUD treatment, withdrawal management, recovery services, physician consultation, and the option to provide medication-assisted treatment and partial hospitalization. DMC-ODS is a voluntary "opt-in" program for counties, allowing them to provide a more robust and integrated system of care than what was available under the standard Drug Medi-Cal program. As of January 1, 2025, 40 counties participate in DMC-ODS. DMC-ODS also enables more local control and accountability, provides greater administrative oversight, creates utilization controls to improve care and efficient use of resources, implements evidenced based practices in SUD treatment, and coordinates with other systems of care.

According to the Author

To properly address addiction and SUD, the existence of treatment programs is not enough; high-quality care must be accessible. When someone is ready to seek help, they should be able to find every licensed option available to them, compare programs based on their needs, and know with confidence that the facility they choose is operating legally. The author contends that, right now, California has the infrastructure to make this possible, but voluntary participation leaves the directory incomplete and leaves patients to navigate a fragmented marketplace of unverified options at the most vulnerable moment of their lives. The author argues that this bill closes that gap — reducing information costs, protecting consumers, and ensuring that the system we have built actually reaches the people it was designed to serve.

Arguments in Support

Shatterproof supports this bill stating that families seeking addiction treatment are often doing so at one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Yet too many Californians lack access to clear, reliable information about the quality of treatment options available to them. Without transparency, individuals and families are left to navigate a complex and confusing system, one in which the consequences of misinformation can be devastating. Shatterproof argues that its Treatment Atlas, an online portal available to Californians, was created to address this gap by providing standardized, evidence-based information about addiction treatment providers. However, because participation is voluntary, as many as two-thirds of treatment facilities do not publicly report their quality data. As a result, families often cannot compare programs or determine whether services align with best practices. Shatterproof argues this bill would address this problem by requiring SUD treatment facilities that do not accept Medi-Cal to report quality data to a centralized, publicly accessible system. Facilities that accept Medi-Cal are already subject to rigorous oversight and quality standards and are therefore appropriately exempt. Private-pay facilities, however, face far fewer requirements, allowing some to misrepresent their services or provide care that is not evidence-based. Shatterproof concludes this bill would promote transparency, accountability, and higher standards across the treatment landscape, ultimately, improving care for Californians.

The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) supports this bill stating that people seeking substance use disorder treatment and their families deserve meaningful, accessible information when deciding where to seek care. Yet, individuals seeking private-pay treatment can face a significant information gap: unlike publicly funded treatment providers, privately operated facilities generally do not have the same public reporting and accountability structures that help people understand what services and approaches they offer. DPA argues this bill addresses this gap by creating a publicly accessible platform with transparent information about treatment providers, including their use of evidence-based practices, availability of medications for substance use disorders, behavioral therapies, recovery supports, and other services. The platform would also provide an avenue for patients and families to share their experiences.

Arguments in Opposition

None on file.

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, unknown ongoing costs, potentially low millions, for DHCS to establish and maintain the platform (Residential and Outpatient Program Licensing Fund). While the bill would authorize DHCS to charge fees to cover the costs, the department may need one-time General Fund dollars for initial start-up costs until the new fee structure is established.

VOTES:

ASM HEALTH: 16-0-0

YES: Bonta, Chen, Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Caloza, Carrillo, Mark González, Johnson, Patel, Patterson, Rogers, Sanchez, Schiavo, Sharp-Collins, Stefani

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 13-0-2

YES: Wicks, Hoover, Aguiar-Curry, Calderon, Caloza, Dixon, Fong, Mark González, Krell, Pacheco, Pellerin, Sharp-Collins, Solache

ABS, ABST OR NV: Ta, Tangipa

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-1-3

YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Johnson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas

NO: DeMaio

ABS, ABST OR NV: Celeste Rodriguez, Ta, Tangipa

SENATE FLOOR: 40-0-0

YES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Arreguín, Ashby, Becker, Blakespear, Cabaldon, Caballero, Cervantes, Choi, Cortese, Dahle, Durazo, Gonzalez, Grayson, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, McNerney, Menjivar, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Pérez, Reyes, Richardson, Rubio, Seyarto, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Strickland, Umberg, Valladares, Wahab, Weber Pierson, Wiener

UPDATED

VERSION: July 2, 2026

CONSULTANT: Logan Hess / HEALTH / (916) 319-2097 FN: 0003759

CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS

CSA1 Bill Id:AB 2343

Author:(Patel)

As Amended Ver:July 2, 2026

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Requires a licensed alcohol or other drug (AOD) recovery or treatment facility (RTF) and a certified AOD program to participate in a public consumer protection platform designated or designed by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) in order to be licensed or certified. Authorizes DHCS to charge a reasonable fee to AOD RTFs and programs required to enroll in the platform, as specified, and prohibits the administrator of the consumer protection platform, if DHCS contracts with an external administrator, from accepting payment from the entities participating under this bill. Exempts from participation in the consumer protection platform licensed AOD RTFs and certified AOD programs contracted to provide Medi-Cal treatment services or contracted with DHCS, a county behavioral health department, or a county substance use disorder (SUD) division for the provision of SUD services.

Senate Amendments

1. Establish minimum requirements for a "consumer protection platform" as defined for the purposes of this bill.
2. Require all costs associated with the development, implementation, operation, maintenance, oversight, auditing, and enforcement of the consumer protection platform to be fully covered by the fees collected pursuant to this bill or other specifically appropriated funds, and prohibits the costs from being subsidized through increases to existing licensing or certification fees or through other departmental fee structures. Prohibit participation from being required if sufficient funding is not available to fully support the consumer protection platform without increasing existing licensing and certification fees.
3. Require the consumer protection platform, if managed by an entity other than DHCS, to collect and publicly display information from each participating treatment provider on the provider's adoption of evidence-based practices in SUD care.
4. Add findings and declarations.

COMMENTS

Prevalence of SUD in California. A 2024 publication from Health Management Associates and the California Health Care Foundation titled, "Substance Use Disorder in California — a Focused Landscape Analysis" reported that approximately 9% of Californians ages 12 years and older met the criteria for SUD in 2022. According to the report, the prevalence of SUD among individuals 12 years of age and older increased to 8.8% in 2022 from 8.1% in 2015. While the health care system is moving toward acknowledging SUD as a chronic illness, only 6% of Americans and 10% of Californians ages 12 and older with an SUD received treatment for their condition in 2021. More than 19,335 Californians ages 12 years and older died from the effects of alcohol from 2020 to 2021, and the total annual number of alcohol-related deaths increased by approximately 18% in the state from 2020 to 2021. Overdose deaths from both opioids and psychostimulants (such as amphetamines), are soaring. This issue, compounded by the increased availability of fentanyl, has resulted in a 10-fold increase in fentanyl related deaths between 2015 and 2019. According to the Overdose Prevention Initiative, 7,847 opioid-related overdose deaths occurred in California in 2023, and preliminary data shows 5,030 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2025.

DHCS partnership with Shatterproof. According to the 2023 announcement of the partnership from DHCS, Shatterproof is a national nonprofit that helps people find high-quality treatment, including outpatient, intensive outpatient, residential, and hospital inpatient addiction treatment, for SUDs. DHCS and Shatterproof partnered on a public awareness campaign, Unshame California, to promote anti-stigma messaging regarding SUDs. They have also partnered on the Treatment Atlas, an addiction treatment locator, assessment, and standards platform that connects individuals to appropriate evidence-based addiction treatment. The platform is a web-based platform developed and managed by Shatterproof, based on such criteria as location, use of best practices, types of treatment offered, accepted insurers (including commercial and government sponsored coverage), payment options, specialty populations served, and patient experiences. Treatment Atlas is informed and endorsed by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). On the platform, people can assess their risk and severity, which allows them to receive initial guidance on which addiction treatment options might be best for them. DHCS states that Treatment Atlas improves upon services provided by other addiction treatment locators and uses objective data, strict validation protocols, and patient reporting to focus on what is best for the consumer, not the bottom line.

Alcohol and Drug Treatment Facility Licensing. DHCS has sole authority to license RTFs in the state. Licensure is required when at least one of the following services is provided: withdrawal management services; group sessions; individual sessions; educational sessions; or, alcoholism or other drug abuse recovery or treatment planning. Additionally, facilities may be subject to other types of permits, clearances, business taxes, or local fees that may be required by the cities or counties in which the facilities are located.

As part of their licensing function, DHCS conducts reviews of RTF operations every two years, or as necessary. DHCS's Substance Use Disorder Compliance Division checks for compliance with statute and regulations (Title 9, Chapter 5, California Code of Regulations) to ensure the health and safety of RTF residents and investigates all complaints related to RTFs, including deaths, complaints against staff, and allegations of operating without a license. DHCS has the authority to suspend or revoke a license for conduct in the operation of an RTF that is contrary to the health, morals, welfare, or safety of either an individual in, or receiving services from, the facility or to the people of the State of California.

AOD Program Certification. Prior to January 1, 2025, programs were permitted to seek certification from DHCS. Under AB 118 (Committee on Budget), Chapter 42, Statutes of 2023, certification is now a requirement for many AOD programs, with exceptions for various licensed facility types, schools, jails, and prisons. Programs were required to apply for certification no later than January 1, 2024. If DHCS finds evidence that a program is providing treatment, recovery, withdrawal management services, or medication-assisted treatment services without a certification, DHCS must issue a written notice to the program stating that it is operating in violation of the law, and any person or entity found to be operating without certification may be subject to an assessment of civil penalties of two thousand ($2,000) dollars per day and will be barred from applying for initial certification for a period of five years from the date of the violation notice.

Licensing and Certification Fees. Existing law authorizes DHCS to increase the licensing and certification fees for AOD programs and facilities. Section 57 of SB 104 (Skinner), Chapter 104, Statutes of 2023, amended the Budget Act of 2023 and directs DHCS to increase those fees by up to 20% each fiscal year (FY) through FY 2026-27 to reach a cumulative fee increase of 75%. In a Behavioral Health Information Notice (BHIN No. 26-004) released in February 2026, DHCS announced that current licensing and certification fees are not sufficient to support current or planned expenses incurred by DHCS for SUD licensing and certification activities, and the fees would be increasing 20%, as directed by the Legislature. Licensure and certification activities include, but are not limited to, review and processing of initial, extension, and supplemental applications; initial and biennial onsite compliance reviews; complaint investigations; administrative support; disseminating information to the public, governmental agencies, and stakeholders; updating and maintaining databases; policy, regulatory, and statutory development; provider training and technical assistance; and appeal processing for revocation or suspension of providers' licenses and/or certification.

SUD services in Medi-Cal. The Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) requires that counties provide access to a full continuum of SUD services modeled after the ASAM criteria. Services provided under the DMC-ODS are more comprehensive than the limited set of services provided under the standard Drug Medi-Cal program. DMC-ODS builds on the standard program by expanding services to include case management, multiple levels of residential SUD treatment, withdrawal management, recovery services, physician consultation, and the option to provide medication-assisted treatment and partial hospitalization. DMC-ODS is a voluntary "opt-in" program for counties, allowing them to provide a more robust and integrated system of care than what was available under the standard Drug Medi-Cal program. As of January 1, 2025, 40 counties participate in DMC-ODS. DMC-ODS also enables more local control and accountability, provides greater administrative oversight, creates utilization controls to improve care and efficient use of resources, implements evidenced based practices in SUD treatment, and coordinates with other systems of care.

According to the Author

To properly address addiction and SUD, the existence of treatment programs is not enough; high-quality care must be accessible. When someone is ready to seek help, they should be able to find every licensed option available to them, compare programs based on their needs, and know with confidence that the facility they choose is operating legally. The author contends that, right now, California has the infrastructure to make this possible, but voluntary participation leaves the directory incomplete and leaves patients to navigate a fragmented marketplace of unverified options at the most vulnerable moment of their lives. The author argues that this bill closes that gap — reducing information costs, protecting consumers, and ensuring that the system we have built actually reaches the people it was designed to serve.

Arguments in Support

Shatterproof supports this bill stating that families seeking addiction treatment are often doing so at one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Yet too many Californians lack access to clear, reliable information about the quality of treatment options available to them. Without transparency, individuals and families are left to navigate a complex and confusing system, one in which the consequences of misinformation can be devastating. Shatterproof argues that its Treatment Atlas, an online portal available to Californians, was created to address this gap by providing standardized, evidence-based information about addiction treatment providers. However, because participation is voluntary, as many as two-thirds of treatment facilities do not publicly report their quality data. As a result, families often cannot compare programs or determine whether services align with best practices. Shatterproof argues this bill would address this problem by requiring SUD treatment facilities that do not accept Medi-Cal to report quality data to a centralized, publicly accessible system. Facilities that accept Medi-Cal are already subject to rigorous oversight and quality standards and are therefore appropriately exempt. Private-pay facilities, however, face far fewer requirements, allowing some to misrepresent their services or provide care that is not evidence-based. Shatterproof concludes this bill would promote transparency, accountability, and higher standards across the treatment landscape, ultimately, improving care for Californians.

The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) supports this bill stating that people seeking substance use disorder treatment and their families deserve meaningful, accessible information when deciding where to seek care. Yet, individuals seeking private-pay treatment can face a significant information gap: unlike publicly funded treatment providers, privately operated facilities generally do not have the same public reporting and accountability structures that help people understand what services and approaches they offer. DPA argues this bill addresses this gap by creating a publicly accessible platform with transparent information about treatment providers, including their use of evidence-based practices, availability of medications for substance use disorders, behavioral therapies, recovery supports, and other services. The platform would also provide an avenue for patients and families to share their experiences.

Arguments in Opposition

None on file.

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, unknown ongoing costs, potentially low millions, for DHCS to establish and maintain the platform (Residential and Outpatient Program Licensing Fund). While the bill would authorize DHCS to charge fees to cover the costs, the department may need one-time General Fund dollars for initial start-up costs until the new fee structure is established.

VOTES:

ASM HEALTH: 16-0-0

YES: Bonta, Chen, Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Caloza, Carrillo, Mark González, Johnson, Patel, Patterson, Rogers, Sanchez, Schiavo, Sharp-Collins, Stefani

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 13-0-2

YES: Wicks, Hoover, Aguiar-Curry, Calderon, Caloza, Dixon, Fong, Mark González, Krell, Pacheco, Pellerin, Sharp-Collins, Solache

ABS, ABST OR NV: Ta, Tangipa

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-1-3

YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Johnson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas

NO: DeMaio

ABS, ABST OR NV: Celeste Rodriguez, Ta, Tangipa

UPDATED

VERSION: July 2, 2026

CONSULTANT: Logan Hess / HEALTH / (916) 319-2097 FN: 0003759

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 2343

Author: Patel (D), et al.

Amended: 7/2/26 in Senate

Vote: 21

SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE: 10-0, 7/1/26

AYES: Weber Pierson, Valladares, Caballero, Durazo, Gonzalez, Grove, Menjivar, Padilla, Pérez, Smallwood-Cuevas

NO VOTE RECORDED: Rubio

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 8/13/26

AYES: Cervantes, Seyarto, Cabaldon, Dahle, Grayson, Richardson, Wahab

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-1, 5/27/26 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Alcohol and other drug programs: consumer protection platform

SOURCE: Shatterproof

DIGEST:

This bill requires certified programs and licensed residential treatment facilities to participate in a public consumer protection platform designated or designed by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), except for those contracted to provide Medi-Cal treatment services; contracted with DHCS or a county to provide substance use disorder services; or, that receive other public funds.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Grants sole authority in the state to DHCS to certify alcohol or other drug (AOD) programs and to license adult residential AOD recovery or treatment facilities (RTFs). [Health and Safety Code (HSC) §11832 and §11834.01]
2. Requires DHCS to conduct onsite program compliance visits for AOD programs and RTFs at least once during the certification or licensure period. Permits DHCS to conduct announced or unannounced site visits to review for compliance. [HSC §11832.12 and §11834.01]
3. Establishes the Medi-Cal program, administered by DHCS, which provides medical coverage to low-income persons. [WIC §14000, et seq.]

This bill:

1. Requires AOD programs and RTFs, in order to be certified or licensed, or to have either renewed, to participate in a public consumer protection platform designated or designed by DHCS.
2. Specifies that this requirement does not apply to AOD programs or RTFs contracted to provide Medi-Cal treatment services; those contracted with DHCS, a county behavioral health department, or a county substance use disorder (SUD) division for the provision of SUD services; or, those that receive funding through state, county, or federal SUD programs. Prohibits these entities from being required to participate in a consumer protection platform, but permits them to do so voluntarily.
3. Requires participation in the public consumer protection platform to be required only if DHCS determines sufficient funding has been appropriated or otherwise secured to cover the costs of participation in the platform, including, but not limited to, costs associated with platform operation and maintenance.
4. Permits DHCS to charge a reasonable fee to each entity to cover the costs of implementing this bill. Requires all costs associated with the development, implementation, operation, maintenance, oversight, auditing, and enforcement of the consumer protection platform to be fully covered by the fees collected or other specifically appropriated funds, and not subsidized through increases to existing licensing or certification fees or through other DHCS fee structures. Prohibits required participation in the platform if sufficient funding is not available to fully support it without increasing existing licensing fees.
5. Prohibits the administrator, if DHCS contracts with an external administrator for the public consumer protection platform, from engaging in practices that constitute a conflict of interest, including, but not limited to, accepting a payment from the entities subject to the requirements in this bill.
6. Prohibits participation in the consumer protection platform from being used as a criterion in evaluating bids, proposals, network participation, reimbursement, or contract performance for publicly funded SUD treatment services.
7. Permits DHCS to verify compliance with this bill as part of its initial licensing or licensing renewal process. Permits DHCS to require facilities to provide documentation or data demonstrating participation, including registration and data submission to the designated quality rating system, and to utilize audits or inspections as necessary to ensure compliance.
8. Permits DHCS to implement, interpret, or make specific this bill’s requirements by means of provider bulletins, written guidelines, or similar instructions.

Background

According to the author of this bill:

To properly address addiction and SUD, the existence of treatment programs is not enough; high-quality care must be accessible. When someone is ready to seek help, they should be able to find every licensed option available to them, compare programs based on their needs, and know with confidence that the facility they choose is operating legally. Right now, California has the infrastructure to make this possible, but voluntary participation leaves the directory incomplete and leaves patients to navigate a fragmented marketplace of unverified options at the most vulnerable moment of their lives. This bill closes that gap: reducing information costs, protecting consumers, and ensuring that the system we have built actually reaches the people it was designed to serve.

RTFs and AOD programs. RTFs licensed by DHCS, based on what is commonly referred to as the “social model,” provide recovery, treatment, or detoxification services. (The Department of Public Health licenses medical model RTFs, known as chemical dependency recovery hospitals.) The services provided by social model RTFs include group and individual counseling, educational sessions, and alcoholism or drug abuse recovery and treatment planning. Social model RTFs are allowed to provide clients first aid and emergency care, and since the passage of AB 848 (Mark Stone, Chapter 744, Statutes of 2015), RTFs can apply to DHCS for an additional license to provide incidental medical services by a licensed physician or other health care practitioner. SB 823 (Hill, Chapter 781, Statutes of 2018) requires DHCS to adopt American Society of Addiction Medicine treatment criteria as the minimum standard of care for licensed RTFs. DHCS is also responsible for certification of a business entity with a physical location in the state that provides one or more of the following services to clients: treatment, recovery, or detoxification services, or medications for addiction treatment. DHCS also provides program certification for facilities that are licensed by the Department of Social Services that serve adolescents. As part of their licensing and certification functions, DHCS conducts reviews of RTFs and AOD programs every two years, or as necessary; checks for compliance with statute, regulations, and certification standards to ensure the health and safety of clients; investigates all complaints; and, has the authority to suspend or revoke a license or certification for a violation of statutes, regulations, and certification standards. DHCS states that they have the sole authority to conduct site visits to their RTFs and AOD programs.

DHCS partnership with Shatterproof. DHCS announced in May 2023 its partnership with Shatterproof, a national nonprofit that helps people with SUDs find high-quality treatment, including outpatient, intensive outpatient, residential, and hospital inpatient addiction treatment. DHCS and Shatterproof partnered on a public awareness campaign, Unshame California, to promote anti-stigma messaging regarding SUDs. They have also partnered on the Addiction Treatment Locator, Analysis, and Standards (ATLAS) platform (also known as Treatment Atlas), an addiction treatment locator, assessment, and standards platform that connects individuals to appropriate evidence-based addiction treatment, which is an example of a “public consumer protection platform designated by DHCS,” as required in this bill.

Per DHCS’s Opioid Response webpage, ATLAS is a free, easy-to-use online directory of SUD treatment facilities. ATLAS features evidence-based information to help individuals (and supporters of people seeking help) find the treatment they need. Funded in part by DHCS with state Opioid Settlement Funds, ATLAS is available to the public to help ensure that Californians and their loved ones struggling with the disease of addiction are able to quickly and easily access treatment resources and information that meets their individual needs. ATLAS’s platform supports finding appropriate access to care through the following:

• 1. Individuals and/or their loved ones can take a 13-question survey to help them find a licensed or certified treatment provider to assist with their specific needs;
  2. Those seeking treatment can search by location, language spoken, insurance/payment options, age, and special populations such as LGBTQ+ welcoming;
  3. ATLAS establishes a nationwide standardized format that allows direct comparison of facilities based on services provided, types of payment accepted, and evidence-based measures of quality aligned with Shatterproof’s National Principles of Care; and,
  4. ATLAS is free to those seeking treatment and to licensed or certified treatment providers whose information is included in the platform.

DHCS’s current webpage for ATLAS, however, does not indicate that it distinguishes between providers that accept any public funds or those that are truly cash pay.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, unknown ongoing costs, potentially low millions, for the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to establish and maintain the platform (Residential and Outpatient Program Licensing Fund). While the bill would authorize the DHCS to charge fees to cover the costs, the department may need one-time General Fund dollars for initial start-up costs until the new fee structure is established.

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/13/26)

Shatterproof (source)

California Association of Alcohol and Drug Program Executives, Inc.

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/13/2026)

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: Shatterproof, as the source of this bill, states that families seeking addiction treatment are often doing so at one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Yet too many Californians lack access to clear, reliable information about the quality of treatment options available to them. Without transparency, individuals and families are left to navigate a complex and confusing system, one in which the consequences of misinformation can be devastating. Shatterproof’s Treatment Atlas, an online portal available to Californians, was created to address this gap by providing standardized, evidence-based information about addiction treatment providers. However, because participation is voluntary, as many as two-thirds of treatment facilities do not publicly report their quality data. As a result, families often cannot compare programs or determine whether services align with best practices. Shatterproof argues this bill would meaningfully address this problem by requiring SUD treatment facilities that do not accept Medi-Cal to report quality data to a centralized, publicly accessible system. Facilities that accept Medi-Cal are already subject to rigorous oversight and quality standards, and are therefore appropriately exempt. Private-pay facilities, however, face far fewer requirements, allowing some to misrepresent their services or provide care that is not evidence-based.

Support if amended. The California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) says a state-designated consumer protection platform has the potential to significantly improve the treatment landscape by offering a verified directory of AOD programs and RTFs, reducing consumer exposure to unsafe or deceptive operators, and providing insurers with a reliable list of in-network providers. This approach aligns with CCAPP’s long-standing commitment to consumer safety and ethical treatment practices. To ensure the platform truly protects consumers, CCAPP strongly recommends: (1) that DHCS incorporate “recovery capital” outcomes within three years of implementation. Recovery capital is a non-abstinence-based, quality-of-life measurement tool widely supported by the recovery community. Including these outcomes will ensure the platform provides meaningful information rather than simply listing program names. It will give consumers and insurers access to quality-based, person-centered data, promote continuous improvement across treatment programs, and reflect modern, evidence-informed approaches to recovery. This is CCAPP’s highest priority recommendation for strengthening the bill; (2) that the Legislature ensure enrollment in the platform occurs at a RTF’s first renewal rather than during provisional licensure, as additional requirements during provisional status can delay insurance reimbursement and reduce treatment capacity; (3) that the platform complement, not duplicate, existing DHCS enforcement listings; and, (4) that implementation should ensure equity between nonprofit and for-profit entities.

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 76-1, 5/27/26

AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Johnson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas

NOES: DeMaio

NO VOTE RECORDED: Celeste Rodriguez, Ta, Tangipa

Prepared by: Reyes Diaz / HEALTH / (916) 651-4111

8/14/26 12:08:16

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON

Senator Sabrina Cervantes, Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular Session

AB 2343 (Patel) - Alcohol and other drug programs: consumer protection platform

Bill Summary:

AB 2343 would require certain facilities and programs that provide substance use disorder services to participate in a public consumer protection platform.

Fiscal Impact:

Unknown ongoing costs, potentially low millions, for the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to establish and maintain the platform (Residential and Outpatient Program Licensing Fund). While the bill would authorize the DHCS to charge fees to cover the costs, the department may need one-time General Fund dollars for initial start-up costs until the new fee structure is established.

Background:

The DHCS licenses and regulates adult alcohol or other drug recovery or treatment facilities (RTFs) which provide nonmedical recovery, treatment and detoxification services. The services provided by RTFs include group and individual counseling, educational sessions, and alcoholism or drug abuse recovery and treatment planning. DHCS is also responsible for the certification of alcohol or other drug programs that provide one or more of the following services to clients: treatment, recovery, detoxification services, or medications for addiction treatment. As part of the licensing and certification functions, DHCS conducts reviews of RTFs and programs; checks for compliance with statute, regulations, and certification standards to ensure the health and safety of clients; investigates all complaints; and has the authority to suspend or revoke a license or certification for violations.

Proposed Law:

Specific provisions of the bill would:

• Define “consumer protection platform” to mean a publicly accessible, independent resource administered by the DHCS or by a nonprofit entity designated by the DHCS that meets all of the following requirements:
  • Is available at no cost to individuals and families seeking substance use disorder care in California.
  • Does not accept payment, fees, or any financial consideration from treatment providers listed on the platform, and has no financial relationship with any listed provider that could compromise its independence or objectivity.
  • Ensures that all information displayed is grounded in peer-reviewed research and reflects established best practices in substance use disorder care.
  • Employs validation protocols to verify the internal and external consistency of information submitted by treatment providers prior to public display.
  • Provides transparent, publicly accessible information on each listed facility’s clinical practices, including the facility’s alignment with recognized, evidence-based standards of substance use disorder care.
  • Enables individuals and family members to submit reviews of listed treatment facilities and displays those reviews publicly.
  • Reviews all submitted consumer feedback and refers any submission indicating a potential quality-of-care concern to the DHCS or the appropriate regulatory authority for further review and investigation.
• Require that in order to be licensed or certified by DHCS, the facility/program must participate in a public consumer protection platform designated or designed by the DHCS; and provide that this requirement does not apply to a facility/program contracted to provide Medi-Cal treatment services or contracted with the DHCS, a county behavioral health department, or a county substance use disorder division for the provision of substance use disorder services or to facilities/programs that receive funding through state, county, or federal substance use disorder programs.
• Provide that participation in the public consumer protection platform is required only if the DHCS determines that sufficient funding has been appropriated or otherwise secured to cover the costs of participation in the platform, including, but not limited to, costs associated with platform operation and maintenance; authorize DHCS to charge a reasonable fee to facilities/programs required to enroll in the platform necessary to cover the costs of implementation; require all costs associated with the development, implementation, operation, maintenance, oversight, auditing, and enforcement of the consumer protection platform to be fully covered by the fees collected or other specifically appropriated funds; prohibit costs from being subsidized through increases to existing fees or through other DHCS fee structures; and provide that if sufficient funding is not available to fully support the consumer protection platform without increasing existing fees, participation in the platform is not required.
• Require that if the DHCS contracts an external administrator for the public consumer protection platform, the administrator cannot engage in practices that constitute a conflict of interest, as specified.
• Require the consumer protection platform, if managed by an entity other than the DHCS, to collect and publicly display information from each participating treatment provider on the provider’s adoption of evidence-based practices in substance use disorder care, as specified.
• Authorize DHCS to verify compliance with participation in the public consumer protection platform as part of its licensing/certification process, as specified.
• Prohibit participation in the consumer protection platform from being used as a criterion in evaluating bids, proposals, network participation, reimbursement, or contract performance for publicly funded substance use disorder treatment services.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, Chair

BILL NO: AB 2343

SUBJECT: Alcohol and other drug programs: consumer protection platform

SUMMARY:

Requires certified programs and licensed residential treatment facilities to participate in a public consumer protection platform designated or designed by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), except for those contracted to provide Medi-Cal treatment services; contracted with DHCS or a county to provide substance use disorder services; or, that receive other public funds.

Existing law:

1. Grants sole authority in the state to DHCS to certify alcohol or other drug (AOD) programs and to license adult residential AOD recovery or treatment facilities (RTFs). [HSC §11832 and §11834.01]
2. Requires DHCS to conduct onsite program compliance visits for AOD programs and RTFs at least once during the certification or licensure period. Permits DHCS to conduct announced or unannounced site visits to review for compliance. [HSC §11832.12 and §11834.01]
3. Establishes the Medi-Cal program, administered by DHCS, which provides medical coverage to low-income persons. [WIC §14000, et seq.]

This bill:

1. Requires AOD programs and RTFs, in order to be certified or licensed, or to have either renewed, to participate in a public consumer protection platform designated or designed by DHCS.
2. Specifies that this requirement does not apply to AOD programs or RTFs contracted to provide Medi-Cal treatment services; those contracted with DHCS, a county behavioral health department, or a county substance use disorder (SUD) division for the provision of SUD services; or, those that receive funding through state, county, or federal SUD programs. Prohibits these entities from being required to participate in a consumer protection platform, but permits them to do so voluntarily.
3. Requires participation in the public consumer protection platform to be required only if DHCS determines sufficient funding has been appropriated or otherwise secured to cover the costs of participation in the platform, including, but not limited to, costs associated with platform operation and maintenance.
4. Permits DHCS to charge a reasonable fee to each entity to cover the costs of implementing this bill. Requires all costs associated with the development, implementation, operation, maintenance, oversight, auditing, and enforcement of the consumer protection platform to be fully covered by the fees collected or other specifically appropriated funds, and not subsidized through increases to existing licensing or certification fees or through other DHCS fee structures. Prohibits required participation in the platform if sufficient funding is not available to fully support it without increasing existing licensing fees.
5. Prohibits the administrator, if DHCS contracts with an external administrator for the public consumer protection platform, from engaging in practices that constitute a conflict of interest, including, but not limited to, accepting a payment from the entities subject to the requirements in this bill.
6. Prohibits participation in the consumer protection platform from being used as a criterion in evaluating bids, proposals, network participation, reimbursement, or contract performance for publicly funded SUD treatment services.
7. Permits DHCS to verify compliance with this bill as part of its initial licensing or licensing renewal process. Permits DHCS to require facilities to provide documentation or data demonstrating participation, including registration and data submission to the designated quality rating system, and to utilize audits or inspections as necessary to ensure compliance.
8. Permits DHCS to implement, interpret, or make specific this bill’s requirements by means of provider bulletins, written guidelines, or similar instructions.

FISCAL EFFECT:

According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, this bill results in costs of an unknown amount to DHCS, potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars per year to oversee expanded participation in the platform (Residential and Outpatient Program Licensing Fund). However, DHCS recently stated that current licensing and certification fees are not sufficient to support program expenses and would be increasing to the statutorily allowed maximum in fiscal year 2026-27. Because of DHCS’s inability to raise fees further, this bill would likely result in cost pressures to the General Fund. The Legislative Analyst's Office recently warned of General Fund structural deficits of around $35 billion per year in the 2027-28 fiscal year and ongoing.

PRIOR VOTES:

COMMENTS:

1. Author’s statement. According to the author, to properly address addiction and SUD, the existence of treatment programs is not enough; high-quality care must be accessible. When someone is ready to seek help, they should be able to find every licensed option available to them, compare programs based on their needs, and know with confidence that the facility they choose is operating legally. Right now, California has the infrastructure to make this possible, but voluntary participation leaves the directory incomplete and leaves patients to navigate a fragmented marketplace of unverified options at the most vulnerable moment of their lives. This bill closes that gap: reducing information costs, protecting consumers, and ensuring that the system we have built actually reaches the people it was designed to serve.
2. RTFs and AOD programs. RTFs licensed by DHCS, based on what is commonly referred to as the “social model,” provide recovery, treatment, or detoxification services. (The Department of Public Health licenses medical model RTFs, known as chemical dependency recovery hospitals.) The services provided by social model RTFs include group and individual counseling, educational sessions, and alcoholism or drug abuse recovery and treatment planning. Social model RTFs are allowed to provide clients first aid and emergency care, and since the passage of AB 848 (Mark Stone, Chapter 744, Statutes of 2015), RTFs can apply to DHCS for an additional license to provide incidental medical services by a licensed physician or other health care practitioner. SB 823 (Hill, Chapter 781, Statutes of 2018) requires DHCS to adopt American Society of Addiction Medicine treatment criteria as the minimum standard of care for licensed RTFs. DHCS is also responsible for certification of a business entity with a physical location in the state that provides one or more of the following services to clients: treatment, recovery, or detoxification services, or medications for addiction treatment. DHCS also provides program certification for facilities that are licensed by the Department of Social Services that serve adolescents. As part of their licensing and certification functions, DHCS conducts reviews of RTFs and AOD programs every two years, or as necessary; checks for compliance with statute, regulations, and certification standards to ensure the health and safety of clients; investigates all complaints; and, has the authority to suspend or revoke a license or certification for a violation of statutes, regulations, and certification standards. DHCS states that they have the sole authority to conduct site visits to their RTFs and AOD programs.
3. DHCS partnership with Shatterproof. DHCS announced in May 2023 its partnership with Shatterproof, a national nonprofit that helps people with SUDs find high-quality treatment, including outpatient, intensive outpatient, residential, and hospital inpatient addiction treatment. DHCS and Shatterproof partnered on a public awareness campaign, Unshame California, to promote anti-stigma messaging regarding SUDs. They have also partnered on the Addiction Treatment Locator, Analysis, and Standards (ATLAS) platform (also known as Treatment Atlas), an addiction treatment locator, assessment, and standards platform that connects individuals to appropriate evidence-based addiction treatment, which is an example of a “public consumer protection platform designated by DHCS,” as required in this bill.

Per DHCS’s Opioid Response webpage, ATLAS is a free, easy-to-use online directory of SUD treatment facilities. ATLAS features evidence-based information to help individuals (and supporters of people seeking help) find the treatment they need. Funded in part by DHCS with state Opioid Settlement Funds, ATLAS is available to the public to help ensure that Californians and their loved ones struggling with the disease of addiction are able to quickly and easily access treatment resources and information that meets their individual needs. ATLAS’ platform supports finding appropriate access to care through the following:

• 1. Individuals and/or their loved ones can take a 13-question survey to help them find a licensed or certified treatment provider to assist with their specific needs;
  2. Those seeking treatment can search by location, language spoken, insurance/payment options, age, and special populations such as LGBTQ+ welcoming;
  3. ATLAS establishes a nationwide standardized format that allows direct comparison of facilities based on services provided, types of payment accepted, and evidence-based measures of quality aligned with Shatterproof’s National Principles of Care; and,
  4. ATLAS is free to those seeking treatment and to licensed or certified treatment providers whose information is included in the platform.

DHCS’s current webpage for ATLAS, however, does not indicate that it distinguishes between providers that accept any public funds or those that are truly cash pay.

1. Related legislation. AB 1879 (Dixon) would require AOD programs or RTFs to submit to DHCS treatment and outcome information and treatment availability information consistent with the requirements of the California Outcomes Measurement System Treatment system and the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Access Report, beginning January 1, 2028, except for those contracted to provide Medi-Cal treatment services, or contracted with DHCS or a county to provide SUD services. AB 1879 was held on the Assembly Appropriations Committee suspense file.

AB 2562 (Dixon) would require AOD programs and RTFs to have suicide prevention plans. AB 2562 passed this Committee by a vote of 11-0 on June 24, 2026.

1. Prior legislation. SB 823 (Hill, Chapter 781, Statutes of 2018) requires DHCS to adopt American Society of Addiction Medicine treatment criteria as the minimum standard of care for RTFs.

AB 848 (Mark Stone, Chapter 744, Statutes of 2015), permits RTFs, upon approval from DHCS, to hold an additional license to provide incidental medical services by a licensed physician or other health care practitioner.

1. Support. Shatterproof, as sponsor, states that families seeking addiction treatment are often doing so at one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Yet too many Californians lack access to clear, reliable information about the quality of treatment options available to them. Without transparency, individuals and families are left to navigate a complex and confusing system, one in which the consequences of misinformation can be devastating. Shatterproof’s Treatment Atlas, an online portal available to Californians, was created to address this gap by providing standardized, evidence-based information about addiction treatment providers. However, because participation is voluntary, as many as two-thirds of treatment facilities do not publicly report their quality data. As a result, families often cannot compare programs or determine whether services align with best practices. Shatterproof argues this bill would meaningfully address this problem by requiring SUD treatment facilities that do not accept Medi-Cal to report quality data to a centralized, publicly accessible system. Facilities that accept Medi-Cal are already subject to rigorous oversight and quality standards, and are therefore appropriately exempt. Private-pay facilities, however, face far fewer requirements, allowing some to misrepresent their services or provide care that is not evidence-based.

1. Support if amended. The California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) says a state-designated consumer protection platform has the potential to significantly improve the treatment landscape by offering a verified directory of AOD programs and RTFs, reducing consumer exposure to unsafe or deceptive operators, and providing insurers with a reliable list of in-network providers. This approach aligns with CCAPP’s long-standing commitment to consumer safety and ethical treatment practices. To ensure the platform truly protects consumers, CCAPP strongly recommends: (1) that DHCS incorporate “recovery capital” outcomes within three years of implementation. Recovery capital is a non-abstinence-based, quality-of-life measurement tool widely supported by the recovery community. Including these outcomes will ensure the platform provides meaningful information rather than simply listing program names. It will give consumers and insurers access to quality-based, person-centered data, promote continuous improvement across treatment programs, and reflect modern, evidence-informed approaches to recovery. This is CCAPP’s highest priority recommendation for strengthening the bill; (2) that the Legislature ensure enrollment in the platform occurs at a RTF’s first renewal rather than during provisional licensure, as additional requirements during provisional status can delay insurance reimbursement and reduce treatment capacity; (3) that the platform complement, not duplicate, existing DHCS enforcement listings; and, (4) that implementation should ensure equity between nonprofit and for-profit entities.
2. Policy considerations.
   1. Are we setting up a bifurcated system? The author and sponsor maintain that current AOD programs and RTFs that accept public funds undergo rigorous oversight and quality standards, which is why the bill exempts them. The author and sponsor also maintain that the private RTFs and AOD programs do not currently provide information on treatment outcomes to DHCS or to counties, which apparently only applies to Drug Medi-Cal-funded services. However, the goal of ATLAS appears to be to allow those seeking SUD treatment to be able to find every licensed option available to them, compare programs based on their needs, and know with confidence that the facility they choose is operating above the law. Those seem to be points that apply even to providers that accept public funding. Regardless of what door a Medi-Cal recipient uses to enter SUD treatment services, they might want to research all available state-regulated options prior to approaching their provider about addressing their substance use, and ideally would be able to be placed somewhere they found on Treatment Atlas. While this bill seeks to provide more transparency about private RTFs and AOD programs that are not subject to rules that apply to those who take public funds, it is unclear why the state would choose to provide such an important tool for only a fraction of the SUD treatment system.
   2. What service is this platform providing? A previous version of this bill included such provisions as requiring participation in a “quality rating system” of SUD providers. But now this bill appears to serve more as a provider directory of private-pay providers. This bill calls the platform a “consumer protection platform,” but does not give detail about what information will be collected or made available to ensure the public is protected. The author may with to expand upon what type of information ATLAS will collect and make available to the public, otherwise a more appropriate name for the platform may be considered to accurately portray the information as a repository of private-pay providers who, under existing law, are required to align with American Society of Addiction Medicine treatment criteria as the standard of care for a license from DHCS.
3. Technical amendment. Subdivision (e) of Section 11834.13 contains a reference to “quality rating system,” which was the term used on a previous version of this bill and should be changed to “consumer protection platform.”

SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION:

Support: Shatterproof (sponsor)

California Association of Alcohol and Drug Program Executives, Inc.

Oppose: None received

-- END --

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:AB 2343

Author:(Patel)

As Amended Ver:April 16, 2026

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Requires a licensed alcohol or other drug (AOD) recovery or treatment facility (RTF) and a certified AOD program to participate in a public consumer protection platform designated or designed by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) in order to be licensed or certified. Authorizes DHCS to charge a reasonable fee to AOD RTFs and programs required to enroll in the platform, as specified, and prohibits the administrator of the consumer protection platform, if DHCS contracts with an external administrator, from accepting payment from the entities participating under this bill. Exempts from participation in the consumer protection platform licensed AOD RTFs and certified AOD programs contracted to provide Medi-Cal treatment services or contracted with DHCS, a county behavioral health department, or a county substance use disorder (SUD) division for the provision of SUD services.

Major Provisions

COMMENTS

Prevalence of SUD in California. A 2024 publication from Health Management Associates and the California Health Care Foundation titled, "Substance Use Disorder in California — a Focused Landscape Analysis" reported that approximately 9% of Californians ages 12 years and older met the criteria for SUD in 2022. According to the report, the prevalence of SUD among individuals 12 years of age and older increased to 8.8% in 2022 from 8.1% in 2015. While the health care system is moving toward acknowledging SUD as a chronic illness, only 6% of Americans and 10% of Californians ages 12 and older with an SUD received treatment for their condition in 2021. More than 19,335 Californians ages 12 years and older died from the effects of alcohol from 2020 to 2021, and the total annual number of alcohol-related deaths increased by approximately 18% in the state from 2020 to 2021. Overdose deaths from both opioids and psychostimulants (such as amphetamines), are soaring. This issue, compounded by the increased availability of fentanyl, has resulted in a 10-fold increase in fentanyl related deaths between 2015 and 2019. According to the Overdose Prevention Initiative, 7,847 opioid-related overdose deaths occurred in California in 2023, and preliminary data shows 5,030 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2025.

DHCS partnership with Shatterproof. According to the 2023 announcement of the partnership from DHCS, Shatterproof is a national nonprofit that helps people find high-quality treatment, including outpatient, intensive outpatient, residential, and hospital inpatient addiction treatment, for SUDs. DHCS and Shatterproof partnered on a public awareness campaign, Unshame California, to promote anti-stigma messaging regarding SUDs. They have also partnered on the Treatment Atlas, an addiction treatment locator, assessment, and standards platform that connects individuals to appropriate evidence-based addiction treatment. The platform is a web-based platform developed and managed by Shatterproof, based on such criteria as location, use of best practices, types of treatment offered, accepted insurers (including commercial and government sponsored coverage), payment options, specialty populations served, and patient experiences. Treatment Atlas is informed and endorsed by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). On the platform, people can assess their risk and severity, which allows them to receive initial guidance on which addiction treatment options might be best for them. DHCS states that Treatment Atlas improves upon services provided by other addiction treatment locators and uses objective data, strict validation protocols, and patient reporting to focus on what is best for the consumer, not the bottom line.

Alcohol and Drug Treatment Facility Licensing. DHCS has sole authority to license RTFs in the state. Licensure is required when at least one of the following services is provided: detoxification; group sessions; individual sessions; educational sessions; or, alcoholism or other drug abuse recovery or treatment planning. Additionally, facilities may be subject to other types of permits, clearances, business taxes, or local fees that may be required by the cities or counties in which the facilities are located.

As part of their licensing function, DHCS conducts reviews of RTF operations every two years, or as necessary. DHCS's Substance Use Disorder Compliance Division checks for compliance with statute and regulations (Title 9, Chapter 5, California Code of Regulations) to ensure the health and safety of RTF residents and investigates all complaints related to RTFs, including deaths, complaints against staff, and allegations of operating without a license. DHCS has the authority to suspend or revoke a license for conduct in the operation of an RTF that is contrary to the health, morals, welfare, or safety of either an individual in, or receiving services from, the facility or to the people of the State of California.

AOD Program Certification. Prior to January 1, 2025, programs were permitted to seek certification from DHCS. Under AB 118 (Committee on Budget), Chapter 42, Statutes of 2023, certification is now a requirement for many AOD programs, with exceptions for various licensed facility types, schools, jails, and prisons. Programs were required to apply for certification no later than January 1, 2024. If DHCS finds evidence that a program is providing treatment, recovery, detoxification, or medication-assisted treatment services without a certification, DHCS must issue a written notice to the program stating that it is operating in violation of the law, and any person or entity found to be operating without certification may be subject to an assessment of civil penalties of two thousand ($2,000) dollars per day and will be barred from applying for initial certification for a period of five years from the date of the violation notice.

Licensing and Certification Fees. Existing law authorizes DHCS to increase the licensing and certification fees for AOD programs and facilities. Section 57 of SB 104 (Skinner), Chapter 104, Statutes of 2023, amended the Budget Act of 2023 and directs DHCS to increase those fees by up to 20% each fiscal year (FY) through FY 2026-27 to reach a cumulative fee increase of 75%. In a Behavioral Health Information Notice (BHIN No. 26-004) released in February 2026, DHCS announced that current licensing and certification fees are not sufficient to support current or planned expenses incurred by DHCS for SUD licensing and certification activities, and the fees would be increasing 20%, as directed by the Legislature. Licensure and certification activities include, but are not limited to, review and processing of initial, extension, and supplemental applications; initial and biennial onsite compliance reviews; complaint investigations; administrative support; disseminating information to the public, governmental agencies, and stakeholders; updating and maintaining databases; policy, regulatory, and statutory development; provider training and technical assistance; and appeal processing for revocation or suspension of providers’ licenses and/or certification.

SUD services in Medi-Cal. The Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) requires that counties provide access to a full continuum of SUD services modeled after the ASAM criteria. Services provided under the DMC-ODS are more comprehensive than the limited set of services provided under the standard Drug Medi-Cal program. DMC-ODS builds on the standard program by expanding services to include case management, multiple levels of residential SUD treatment, withdrawal management, recovery services, physician consultation, and the option to provide medication-assisted treatment and partial hospitalization. DMC-ODS is a voluntary "opt-in" program for counties, allowing them to provide a more robust and integrated system of care than what was available under the standard Drug Medi-Cal program. As of January 1, 2025, 40 counties participate in DMC-ODS. DMC-ODS also enables more local control and accountability, provides greater administrative oversight, creates utilization controls to improve care and efficient use of resources, implements evidenced based practices in SUD treatment, and coordinates with other systems of care.

Trailer bill language (TBL) on licensing and certification. In February 2026, TBL was posted by the administration on the Department of Finance website to align evidence-based standards for SUD treatment. The TBL eliminates detoxification as a standalone licensable service, effective June 30, 2027, and instead integrates non-medical withdrawal management services into standard residential treatment. DHCS further proposes to amend state licensure and certification statutes for SUD treatment facilities, including Narcotic Treatment Programs, to replace references to "detoxification" with the modern, industry-standard term "withdrawal management."

According to the Author

To properly address addiction and SUD, the existence of treatment programs is not enough; high-quality care must be accessible. When someone is ready to seek help, they should be able to find every licensed option available to them, compare programs based on their needs, and know with confidence that the facility they choose is operating legally. The author contends that, right now, California has the infrastructure to make this possible, but voluntary participation leaves the directory incomplete and leaves patients to navigate a fragmented marketplace of unverified options at the most vulnerable moment of their lives. The author argues that this bill closes that gap — reducing information costs, protecting consumers, and ensuring that the system we have built actually reaches the people it was designed to serve.

Arguments in Support

Shatterproof supports this bill stating that families seeking addiction treatment are often doing so at one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Yet too many Californians lack access to clear, reliable information about the quality of treatment options available to them. Without transparency, individuals and families are left to navigate a complex and confusing system, one in which the consequences of misinformation can be devastating. Shatterproof argues that its Treatment Atlas, an online portal available to Californians, was created to address this gap by providing standardized, evidence-based information about addiction treatment providers. However, because participation is voluntary, as many as two-thirds of treatment facilities do not publicly report their quality data. As a result, families often cannot compare programs or determine whether services align with best practices. Shatterproof argues this bill would address this problem by requiring SUD treatment facilities that do not accept Medi-Cal to report quality data to a centralized, publicly accessible system. Facilities that accept Medi-Cal are already subject to rigorous oversight and quality standards and are therefore appropriately exempt. Private-pay facilities, however, face far fewer requirements, allowing some to misrepresent their services or provide care that is not evidence-based. Shatterproof concludes this bill would promote transparency, accountability, and higher standards across the treatment landscape, ultimately, improving care for Californians.

Arguments in Opposition

None on file.

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, costs of an unknown amount to DHCS, potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars per year to oversee expanded participation in the platform (Residential and Outpatient Program Licensing Fund). However, DHCS recently stated that current licensing and certification fees are not sufficient to support program expenses and would be increasing to the statutorily allowed maximum in fiscal year 2026-27. Because of DHCS’s inability to raise fees further, this bill would likely result in cost pressures to the General Fund.

The Legislative Analyst's Office recently warned of General Fund structural deficits of around $35 billion per year in the 2027-28 fiscal year and ongoing.

VOTES

ASM HEALTH: 16-0-0

YES: Bonta, Chen, Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Caloza, Carrillo, Mark González, Johnson, Patel, Patterson, Rogers, Sanchez, Schiavo, Sharp-Collins, Stefani

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 13-0-2

YES: Wicks, Hoover, Aguiar-Curry, Calderon, Caloza, Dixon, Fong, Mark González, Krell, Pacheco, Pellerin, Sharp-Collins, Solache

ABS, ABST OR NV: Ta, Tangipa

UPDATED

VERSION: April 16, 2026

CONSULTANT: Logan Hess / HEALTH / (916) 319-2097 FN: 0002977

Date of Hearing: May 13, 2026

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Buffy Wicks, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2343

Author:(Patel) – As Amended Ver:April 16, 2026

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill requires a licensed alcohol or other drug (AOD) recovery or treatment facility (RTF) and a certified AOD program to participate in a consumer protection platform designated by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) as a condition of being licensed or certified. The bill authorizes DHCS to charge a reasonable fee to an AOD RTF or program required to enroll in the platform.

Specifically, this bill:

1. Requires a licensed AOD RTF and a certified AOD program to participate in a consumer protection platform designated or designed by DHCS.
2. Requires participation in the public consumer protection platform only if DHCS determines that sufficient funding has been appropriated or otherwise secured to cover the costs of participation in the platform, including, but not limited to, costs associated with platform operation and maintenance.
3. Authorizes DHCS to charge a reasonable fee to AOD RTFs and programs required to enroll in the platform and prohibits the administrator of the consumer protection platform, if DHCS contracts with an external administrator, from accepting payment from the entities participating under this bill.
4. Exempts from participation in the consumer protection platform licensed AOD RTFs and certified AOD programs contracted to provide Medi-Cal treatment services or contracted with DHCS, a county behavioral health department, or a county substance use disorder (SUD) division for the provision of SUD services.
5. Specifies that participation in the platform pursuant to this bill is required only if DHCS determines that sufficient funding has been appropriated or otherwise secured to cover the costs of participation in the platform, including, but not limited to, costs associated with platform operation and maintenance.
6. Authorizes DHCS to verify compliance with participation in the platform as part of the certification or licensing process.
7. Prohibits participation in the consumer protection platform from being used as a criterion in evaluating bids, proposals, or contract performance for publicly funded SUD treatment services.
8. Authorizes DHCS to implement, interpret, or make specific implementation of this bill by means of provider bulletins, written guidelines, or similar instructions

FISCAL EFFECT:

Costs of an unknown amount to DHCS, potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars per year to oversee expanded participation in the platform (Residential and Outpatient Program Licensing Fund). However, DHCS recently stated that current licensing and certification fees are not sufficient to support program expenses and would be increasing to the statutorily allowed maximum in fiscal year 2026-27. Because of DHCS’s inability to raise fees further, this bill would likely result in cost pressures to the General Fund.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office recently warned of General Fund structural deficits of around $35 billion per year in the 2027-28 fiscal year and ongoing.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. This bill is sponsored by Shatterproof. According to the author:

To properly address addiction and substance use disorder, the existence of treatment programs is not enough; high-quality care must be accessible. When someone is ready to seek help, they should be able to find every licensed option available to them, compare programs based on their needs, and know with confidence that the facility they choose is operating legally. Right now, California has the infrastructure to make this possible, but voluntary participation leaves the directory incomplete and leaves patients to navigate a fragmented marketplace of unverified options at the most vulnerable moment of their lives. [This bill] closes that gap — reducing information costs, protecting consumers, and ensuring that the system we have built actually reaches the people it was designed to serve.

1. Background. According to a 2023 announcement from DHCS, Shatterproof is a national nonprofit that helps people find high-quality treatment, including outpatient, intensive outpatient, residential, and hospital inpatient addiction treatment, for SUDs. DHCS and Shatterproof partnered on a public awareness campaign, Unshame California, and on the Treatment Atlas, an addiction treatment locator, assessment, and standards platform that connects individuals to appropriate evidence-based addiction treatment. Shatterproof developed and manages the Treatment Atlas, a web-based platform that integrates criteria such as location, use of best practices, types of treatment offered, accepted insurers, payment options, specialty populations served, and patient experiences. This bill requires private AOD treatment facilities and programs to participate in DHCS’s designated platform.

Analysis Prepared by: Allegra Kim / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: April 14, 2026

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

Mia Bonta, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 2343

Author:(Patel) – As Amended Ver:March 16, 2026

SUBJECT: Alcohol and other drug programs: quality rating system.

SUMMARY: Requires a licensed alcohol or other drug (AOD) recovery or treatment facility (RTF) and a certified AOD program to participate in a public quality rating system designated by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) in order to be licensed or certified. Authorizes DHCS to charge a reasonable fee to AOD RTFs and programs required to enroll in the platform, as specified, and prohibits the administrator of the public quality rating system from accepting payment from the entities participating under this bill. Specifies that participation in the public quality rating system is only required if DHCS determines that sufficient funding has been appropriated or otherwise secured to cover the costs of participation in the platform. Specifically, this bill:

1. Requires a licensed AOD RTF and a certified AOD program to participate in a public quality rating system designated by DHCS in order to be licensed or certified.
2. Authorizes DHCS to charge a reasonable fee to AOD RTFs and programs required to enroll in the platform and prohibits the administrator of the public quality rating system from accepting payment from the entities participating under this bill.
3. Exempts from participation in the quality rating system licensed AOD RTFs and certified AOD programs contracted to provide Medi-Cal treatment services or contracted with DHCS, a county behavioral health department, or a county substance use disorder (SUD) division for the provision of SUD services.
4. Specifies that participation in the public quality rating system pursuant to this bill is only required if DHCS determines that sufficient funding has been appropriated or otherwise secured to cover the costs of participation in the platform, including, but not limited to, costs associated with platform operation and maintenance.
5. Authorizes DHCS to verify compliance with participation in the public quality rating system as part of the certification or licensing process.
6. Authorizes DHCS to implement, interpret, or make specific implementation of this bill by means of provider bulletins, written guidelines, or similar instructions.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Grants sole authority in the state to DHCS to certify AOD programs and to license RTFs. [Health and Safety Code (HSC) §§ 11832 and 11834.01]
2. Requires DHCS to conduct onsite program compliance visits for AOD programs and RTFs at least once during the certification or licensure period. Permits DHCS to conduct announced or unannounced site visits to review for compliance. [HSC §§ 11832.12 and 11834.01]
3. Requires all programs certified or RTFs licensed by DHCS to disclose if any of its agents, partners, directors, officers, or owners, including a sole proprietor and member, has either ownership or control of, or financial interest in, a recovery residence (RR) or any contractual relationship with an entity that regularly provides professional services or SUD treatment or recovery services to clients of programs certified or facilities licensed by DHCS, if the entity is not part of the program certified or facility licensed. [HSC § 11833.05(a)]
4. Requires DHCS to adopt the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) treatment criteria, or an equivalent evidence-based standard, as the minimum standard of care for licensed RTFs and requires a licensee to maintain those standards with respect to the level of care to be provided by the licensee. [HSC § 11834.015]
5. Defines RTF to mean a premises, place, or building that provides residential nonmedical services to adults who are recovering from problems related to alcohol, drug, or alcohol and drug misuse or addiction, and who need alcohol, drug, or alcohol and drug recovery, treatment, or detoxification services. [HSC § 11834.02]
6. Requires that initial licenses for a new RTF to be provisional for one year, permits DHCS to revoke the provisional license for good cause, and prohibits a licensee from reapplying for an initial license for five years following a revocation of a provisional license. Defines “good cause” to mean failure to operate in compliance with the statutes and regulations relating to treatment facilities. [HSC § 11834.09(d)]
7. Requires, if a facility intends to provide incidental medical services, evidence of a valid license of a physician and surgeon who will provide or oversee those services, and any other information deemed appropriate by DHCS. Defines “incidental medical services” as services that follow the community standard of practice and are not required to be performed in a licensed clinic or licensed health facility, and includes obtaining medical histories, monitoring health status, testing associated with detoxification from alcohol or drugs, and overseeing patient self-administered medications. [HSC §§ 11834.025 and 11834.026]
8. Authorizes DHCS to assess civil penalties on facilities that provide alcohol or drug use recovery, treatment, or detoxification services without a license. [HSC § 11834.15]
9. Prohibits a person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, or local governmental entity from operating, establishing, managing, conducting, or maintaining an RTF or AOD program without first obtaining a current valid license or certification. [HSC §§ 11832.7 and 11834.30]
10. Requires DHCS to conduct a site visit to investigate an allegation of a facility operating without a license or certification and, if evidence is found supporting this allegation, requires the employee or agent to submit the findings to DHCS and, with DHCS authorization, send notice to the facility containing a date to cease providing services, the civil penalty that will be assessed for any days services are provided beyond that date, and that the case will be referred for civil proceedings if services continue. Requires the employee or agent to also inform the facility of state licensing and certification requirements. [HSC §§ 11823.18 and 11834.31]
11. Requires DHCS to charge a fee to all programs for licensure or certification and authorizes DHCS to establish fee scales using different capacity levels, categories based on measures other than program capacity, or any other category or classification that DHCS deems necessary or convenient to maintain an effective and equitable fee structure. Requires licensing and certification fees to be evaluated annually. Authorizes DHCS, no sooner than July 1, 2027, to approve a fee increase, up to and including 5% on an annual basis, as needed to address the costs of licensing and certification activities. Requires DHCS to submit any proposals for new fees or increases in excess of 5% through the finance letter process for approval by the Legislature. Requires DHCS develop a process for programs and facilities to apply for a hardship fee waiver. [HSC § 11833.02]
12. Requires DHCS to continue to implement the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) program under California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) as previously required under the Medi-Cal 2020 Demonstration. Authorizes counties to voluntarily participate in DMC-ODS. [Welfare and Institutions Code § 14184.401]

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown. This bill has not been analyzed by a fiscal committee.

COMMENTS:

1. PURPOSE OF THIS BILL. According to the author, to properly address addiction and SUD, the existence of treatment programs is not enough; high-quality care must be accessible. When someone is ready to seek help, they should be able to find every licensed option available to them, compare programs based on their needs, and know with confidence that the facility they choose is operating legally. The author contends that, right now, California has the infrastructure to make this possible, but voluntary participation leaves the directory incomplete and leaves patients to navigate a fragmented marketplace of unverified options at the most vulnerable moment of their lives. The author argues that this bill closes that gap — reducing information costs, protecting consumers, and ensuring that the system we have built actually reaches the people it was designed to serve.
2. BACKGROUND.
   1. Prevalence of SUD in California. A 2024 publication from Health Management Associates and the California Health Care Foundation titled, “Substance Use Disorder in California — a Focused Landscape Analysis” reported that approximately 9% of Californians ages 12 years and older met the criteria for SUD in 2022. According to the report, the prevalence of SUD among individuals 12 years of age and older increased to 8.8% in 2022 from 8.1% in 2015. While the health care system is moving toward acknowledging SUD as a chronic illness, only 6% of Americans and 10% of Californians ages 12 and older with an SUD received treatment for their condition in 2021. More than 19,335 Californians ages 12 years and older died from the effects of alcohol from 2020 to 2021, and the total annual number of alcohol-related deaths increased by approximately 18% in the state from 2020 to 2021. Overdose deaths from both opioids and psychostimulants (such as amphetamines), are soaring. This issue, compounded by the increased availability of fentanyl, has resulted in a 10-fold increase in fentanyl related deaths between 2015 and 2019. According to the Overdose Prevention Initiative, 7,847 opioid-related overdose deaths occurred in California in 2023, and preliminary data shows 5,030 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2025.
   2. DHCS partnership with Shatterproof. According to the 2023 announcement of the partnership from DHCS, Shatterproof is a national nonprofit that helps people find high-quality treatment, including outpatient, intensive outpatient, residential, and hospital inpatient addiction treatment, for SUDs. DHCS and Shatterproof partnered on a public awareness campaign, Unshame California, to promote anti-stigma messaging regarding SUDs. They have also partnered on the Treatment Atlas, an addiction treatment locator, assessment, and standards platform that connects individuals to appropriate evidence-based addiction treatment. The platform is a web-based platform developed and managed by Shatterproof, based on such criteria as location, use of best practices, types of treatment offered, accepted insurers (including commercial and government sponsored coverage), payment options, specialty populations served, and patient experiences. Treatment Atlas is informed and endorsed by ASAM. On the platform, people can assess their risk and severity, which allows them to receive initial guidance on which addiction treatment options might be best for them. DHCS states that Treatment Atlas improves upon services provided by other addiction treatment locators and uses objective data, strict validation protocols, and patient reporting to focus on what is best for the consumer, not the bottom line.
   3. Alcohol and Drug Treatment Facility Licensing. DHCS has sole authority to license RTFs in the state. Licensure is required when at least one of the following services is provided: detoxification; group sessions; individual sessions; educational sessions; or, alcoholism or other drug abuse recovery or treatment planning. Additionally, facilities may be subject to other types of permits, clearances, business taxes, or local fees that may be required by the cities or counties in which the facilities are located.

As part of their licensing function, DHCS conducts reviews of RTF operations every two years, or as necessary. DHCS's Substance Use Disorder Compliance Division checks for compliance with statute and regulations (Title 9, Chapter 5, California Code of Regulations) to ensure the health and safety of RTF residents and investigates all complaints related to RTFs, including deaths, complaints against staff, and allegations of operating without a license. DHCS has the authority to suspend or revoke a license for conduct in the operation of an RTF that is contrary to the health, morals, welfare, or safety of either an individual in, or receiving services from, the facility or to the people of the State of California.

• 1. AOD Program Certification. Prior to January 1, 2025, programs were permitted to seek certification from DHCS. Under AB 118 (Committee on Budget), Chapter 42, Statutes of 2023, certification is now a requirement for many AOD programs, with exceptions for various licensed facility types, schools, jails, and prisons. Programs were required to apply for certification no later than January 1, 2024. If DHCS finds evidence that a program is providing treatment, recovery, detoxification, or medication-assisted treatment services without a certification, DHCS must issue a written notice to the program stating that it is operating in violation of the law, and any person or entity found to be operating without certification may be subject to an assessment of civil penalties of two thousand ($2,000) dollars per day and will be barred from applying for initial certification for a period of five years from the date of the violation notice.
  2. Licensing and Certification Fees. Existing law authorizes DHCS to increase the licensing and certification fees for AOD programs and facilities. Section 57 of SB 104 (Skinner), Chapter 104, Statutes of 2023, amended the Budget Act of 2023 and directs DHCS to increase those fees by up to 20% each fiscal year (FY) through FY 2026-27 to reach a cumulative fee increase of 75%. In a Behavioral Health Information Notice (BHIN No. 26-004) released in February 2026, DHCS announced that current licensing and certification fees are not sufficient to support current or planned expenses incurred by DHCS for SUD licensing and certification activities, and the fees would be increasing 20%, as directed by the Legislature. Licensure and certification activities include, but are not limited to, review and processing of initial, extension, and supplemental applications; initial and biennial onsite compliance reviews; complaint investigations; administrative support; disseminating information to the public, governmental agencies, and stakeholders; updating and maintaining databases; policy, regulatory, and statutory development; provider training and technical assistance; and appeal processing for revocation or suspension of providers’ licenses and/or certification.

A sample of current fees is provided in the table below. This does not include all fees and does not include the combined residential licensure and certification fee for licensed facilities seeking optional certification by DHCS.

• 1. SUD services in Medi-Cal. DMC-ODS requires that counties provide access to a full continuum of SUD services modeled after the ASAM criteria. Services provided under the DMC-ODS are more comprehensive than the limited set of services provided under the standard Drug Medi-Cal program. DMC-ODS builds on the standard program by expanding services to include case management, multiple levels of residential SUD treatment, withdrawal management, recovery services, physician consultation, and the option to provide medication-assisted treatment and partial hospitalization. DMC-ODS is a voluntary "opt-in" program for counties, allowing them to provide a more robust and integrated system of care than what was available under the standard Drug Medi-Cal program. As of January 1, 2025, 40 counties participate in DMC-ODS. DMC-ODS also enables more local control and accountability, provides greater administrative oversight, creates utilization controls to improve care and efficient use of resources, implements evidenced based practices in SUD treatment, and coordinates with other systems of care.
  2. Trailer bill language (TBL) on licensing and certification. In February 2026, TBL was posted by the administration on the Department of Finance website to align evidence-based standards for SUD treatment. The TBL eliminates detoxification as a standalone licensable service, effective June 30, 2027, and instead integrates non-medical withdrawal management services into standard residential treatment. DHCS further proposes to amend state licensure and certification statutes for SUD treatment facilities, including Narcotic Treatment Programs, to replace references to “detoxification” with the modern, industry-standard term “withdrawal management.”

1. SUPPORT. Shatterproof supports this bill stating that families seeking addiction treatment are often doing so at one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Yet too many Californians lack access to clear, reliable information about the quality of treatment options available to them. Without transparency, individuals and families are left to navigate a complex and confusing system, one in which the consequences of misinformation can be devastating. Shatterproof argues that its Treatment Atlas, an online portal available to Californians, was created to address this gap by providing standardized, evidence-based information about addiction treatment providers. However, because participation is voluntary, as many as two-thirds of treatment facilities do not publicly report their quality data. As a result, families often cannot compare programs or determine whether services align with best practices. Shatterproof argues this bill would address this problem by requiring SUD treatment facilities that do not accept Medi-Cal to report quality data to a centralized, publicly accessible system. Facilities that accept Medi-Cal are already subject to rigorous oversight and quality standards and are therefore appropriately exempt. Private-pay facilities, however, face far fewer requirements, allowing some to misrepresent their services or provide care that is not evidence-based. Shatterproof concludes this bill would promote transparency, accountability, and higher standards across the treatment landscape, ultimately, improving care for Californians.
2. CONCERNS. California Association of Alcohol and Drug Program Executives (CAADPE) shares concerns with this bill stating California’s SUD system is already facing workforce shortages and capacity constraints. Additional reporting, verification, or compliance expectations—whether direct or indirect—risk diverting limited resources away from patient care and may disproportionately impact smaller, community-based providers. CAADPE is concerned about the potential for the platform to evolve into a de facto requirement over time, and that without clear statutory guardrails, participation in the platform could become a practical necessity for providers seeking to operate within publicly funded systems.
3. RELATED LEGISLATION.
   1. AB 1879 (Dixon) would require licensed AOD RTF, certified AOD programs, and recovery residences to annually submit a report to DHCS specific data on services provided, beginning January 1, 2028, and would require DHCS to publish the data in an annual report on its internet website.
   2. AB 2562 (Dixon) would require a certified AOD program to include in its policies and procedures a suicide prevention plan. Would require licensed AOD RTF to develop a suicide prevention plan.
4. POLICY COMMENTS.
   1. Platform administration. Shatterproof is the entity that currently holds the contract and as of this writing the only supporter of this bill requiring licensed and certified programs to participate in a similar system. The language provides flexibility to DHCS to implement when fiscally feasible, but it may also be important to clarify that, in addition to designating a potential administrator for a consumer protection platform, DHCS may also decide to design its own platform.
   2. Fee increases. This bill will be referred to a fiscal committee for analysis, however, the extent to which increased licensing and certification fees becomes a barrier to establishing and maintaining AOD treatment is a significant policy question. As noted on page 5 of this analysis, fees have increased significantly in recent years and are continuing to increase. Should this bill move forward, the author may wish to continue working with DHCS to identify a funding source that would not require or allow for increasing licensing and certification fees.
5. AMENDMENTS. The committee may wish to amend this bill as follows:
   1. Replace references to “quality rating system” with “consumer protection platform.”
   2. Clarify that the consumer protection platform required for licensure or certification shall be designated or designed by DHCS to ensure that DHCS retains the option to develop its own system and make corresponding changes.
   3. State that participation in the consumer protection platform shall not be used as a criterion in evaluating bids, proposals, or contract performance for publicly funded SUD treatment services.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

Shatterproof

One individual

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Logan Hess / HEALTH / (916) 319-2097