This bill mandates that outpatient substance use disorder treatment programs must be licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). It also requires the DHHS to designate a behavioral health specialist within the office of the ombudsman to specifically handle complaints related to substance use and mental health treatment facilities. The bill includes an appropriation of $211,000 for the establishment of a compliance officer position to ensure adherence to these new requirements. The bill specifies that certain programs, such as impaired driver care management and nonclinical recovery support services, will be exempt from licensure.

Additionally, the bill amends existing law by inserting new language that emphasizes the role of the behavioral health specialist in promoting the health, safety, welfare, and civil rights of individuals receiving treatment. The effective date for the compliance officer position is set for July 1, 2025, while the rest of the act will take effect 60 days after its passage. The fiscal note indicates that while the bill appropriates funds for the new position, it does not provide additional funding or authorize new positions beyond what is specified.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 172:1, 172:2-a, 6:12, 172:2-c, 126-A:4