SACRAMENTO – On Monday, December 13, 2021, as Chair of the Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee, Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris is convening an Oversight Hearing focused on the issues and challenges related to regulating the substance abuse treatment industry in California. The legislators will ask the Department of Health Care Services about their processes for licensing and oversight of residential treatment facilities. In the fiscal year 2020-21, there were 61 complaints of deaths and during that time DHCS received approximately 540 jurisdictional complaint inquiries.
“Time and time again we see horrific stories in the news about rouge operators in substance abuse industry and mourn the news of another life lost. Enough is enough – it is time we step in and ensure proper licensing and enforcement so that Californians who are desperately trying to overcome drug and alcohol addiction can focus on their recovery, not their safety,” said Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine).
Monday, December 13, 2021
11 a.m.
State Capitol, Room 4202
To view live, go to: https://www.assembly.ca.gov/todaysevents
Public Comment: (877) 692-8957, access code: 13154202
PANELISTS:
- Michelle Baass, Director, Department of Health Care Services
- Katrina Foley, County Supervisor, Orange County
- Todd Franssen, District Attorney Investigator, Orange County
- Dr. Mario San Bartolome Jr., California Society of Addiction Medicine
- Jennifer Lohse, Vice President and General Counsel, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
Check out the latest Orange County Register article for background on recent patient deaths: State hearing will focus on why little has changed in drug rehab industry – Orange County Register (ocregister.com)