This bill amends existing laws regarding the referral of patients to substance use disorder treatment facilities, elevating the severity of certain offenses from a crime of the fourth degree to a crime of the third degree. Specifically, it criminalizes the act of making or receiving payments, fees, commissions, or rebates in connection with patient referrals to licensed treatment facilities. Additionally, it penalizes individuals who knowingly assist or conspire to engage in such activities. A significant change introduced by the bill is the establishment of a mandatory fine of $50,000 for those convicted of these offenses, which is a new provision not present in the current law.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies the definitions of key terms related to the law, including "health care facility," "health care provider," and "recovery residence." These definitions aim to ensure that a broad range of entities involved in substance use disorder treatment are subject to the same referral regulations. The bill is set to take effect 30 days after its enactment, reinforcing the state's commitment to regulating patient referrals in the context of substance use disorder treatment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:40A-6