Alcoholism or drug abuse recovery and treatment services: referrals.

Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities serving adults by the State Department of Health Care Services. Existing law restricts a licensee from operating an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility beyond the conditions and limitations specified on the license. This bill would prohibit specified persons, programs, or entities, including, among others, a licensed alcoholism or drug abuse recovery and treatment facility, or an employee of that facility, from giving or receiving remuneration or anything of value for the referral of a person who is seeking alcoholism or drug abuse recovery and treatment services. The bill would authorize the department to investigate and impose specified sanctions for violations of this prohibition, or regulations adopted to implement this prohibition, including, among others, assessing a penalty or revoking a license. The bill would authorize the department to implement these provisions by provider bulletins, written guidelines, or similar instructions from the department until regulations are adopted.