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AB 425

Certification of alcohol or other drug programs.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Laurie Davies

AB 425 requires DHCS-certified alcohol and other drug programs to use ASAM or equivalent evidence-based criteria as the minimum standard of care.

In committee: Held under submission.
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Bill Summary · AB 425

AB 425 — Certification of alcohol or other drug programs (Davies)

Status: In committee — Held under submission (last action: 2025-05-23)
Introduced: February 5, 2025

Purpose / Intent

AB 425 directs the State Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to require alcohol and other drug (AOD) programs that it certifies to use the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) treatment criteria — or an equivalent evidence‑based standard — as the minimum standard of care. The bill’s stated legislative intent is to align certified substance use disorder (SUD) programs with the continuum-of-care model used in the Drug Medi‑Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC‑ODS) and to help individuals seeking recovery achieve sustainable outcomes.

Key provisions

  • Adds Section 11832.26 to the Health and Safety Code.
  • Requires DHCS to adopt the ASAM treatment criteria, or an equivalent evidence‑based standard, as the minimum standard of care for AOD programs certified under the chapter.
  • Requires certified programs to maintain those standards with respect to the level of care they provide.
  • Authorizes DHCS to implement, interpret, or make specific these requirements through plan or provider bulletins (or similar guidance) on an interim basis until formal regulations are adopted.
  • Sets a regulatory deadline requiring DHCS to adopt implementing regulations by January 1, 2027 (the bill text includes this date as the operative deadline in amended versions).

Who would be affected

  • State Department of Health Care Services — responsibility to adopt standards, issue interim guidance, and promulgate regulations.
  • AOD programs that are certified by DHCS (including programs participating in DMC‑ODS) — would need to meet or exceed ASAM or an equivalent standard in their level‑of‑care decisions and operations.
  • Indirectly affects Medi‑Cal beneficiaries receiving SUD services and counties that operate or contract with certified programs.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced Feb 5, 2025. Referred to Assembly Health (Feb 18). Amended and passed out of Health (Apr 22), re‑referred to Appropriations (Apr 28). Set and placed on suspense file (May 14). Held under submission in Assembly Appropriations (May 23).
  • Fiscal Committee: Yes; Appropriation: No (per digest).

Potential impacts

  • Regulatory and administrative work for DHCS to adopt regulations and provide interim guidance.
  • Certification‑level programs may need to revise clinical policies, staff training, and utilization protocols to align with ASAM or an equivalent evidence‑based standard.
  • Aims to standardize quality of care across certified SUD programs and align certification standards with existing licensing requirements for treatment facilities.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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