WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

A 6513

Relates to the establishment and operations of a dedicated opioid rehabilitation facility and the diversion of certain criminal defendants to such facility

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Keith Brown and 3 co-sponsors

Establish a state opioid rehabilitation facility and divert eligible criminal defendants to it for treatment, reducing incarceration and expanding access to care.

REFERRED TO ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 6513

Summary of Assembly Bill A 6513

Overview

  • Bill Number: A 6513
  • Title: Relates to the establishment and operations of a dedicated opioid rehabilitation facility and the diversion of certain criminal defendants to such facility
  • Sponsored by: John Lemondes (primary); cosponsored by Joe DeStefano, Josh Jensen, and Keith Brown
  • Status: Referred to the Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
  • Introduced: March 5, 2025
  • Related Bills (prior-session): A 10866, A 5855, A 4146

What the bill would do (as indicated by the title)

  • Establish a dedicated opioid rehabilitation facility within the state’s system.
  • Authorize the diversion of certain criminal defendants to the rehabilitation facility, rather than prosecution or incarceration under existing criminal procedures.

Note: The full text would specify eligibility criteria, program design, oversight, funding, duration of diversion, and an accountability framework. The summary reflects the purposes described in the bill’s title and status.

Key provisions and changes (expected scope)

  • Creation and operation of a specialized facility focused on opioid treatment and rehabilitation.
  • Mechanisms to divert eligible criminal defendants to the facility (likely involving courts or prosecutors, with criteria to determine eligibility).
  • Administrative and programmatic structures to manage the facility (staffing, services, and care coordination).
  • Oversight and reporting requirements to monitor outcomes, compliance, and program effectiveness.
  • Possible integration with existing mental health and addiction treatment services and criminal justice workflows.

Because the text is not provided here, the exact procedural steps, eligibility rules, funding arrangements, and implementation timeline would be defined in the bill’s full language.

Who would be affected

  • Criminal defendants eligible for diversion (likely those with opioid addiction or related substance use issues).
  • State and local criminal justice systems (courts, prosecutors, and defense counsel) that would implement diversion pathways.
  • Dedicated opioid rehabilitation facility (new or repurposed state facility) and its staff.
  • Public health and treatment services that interface with the diversion program.
  • Communities impacted by changes in incarceration rates, treatment accessibility, and public safety outcomes.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill has been introduced and referred to the Assembly Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse on March 5, 2025.
  • No further actions listed in the provided information (e.g., no committee votes, amendments, or floor actions yet).
  • As a related-bills package, prior-session bills (A 10866, A 5855, A 4146) suggest ongoing legislative interest in opioid treatment and diversion mechanisms.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Public health: Potential expansion of opioid treatment access and continuity of care for defendants.
  • Criminal justice: Possible reduction in incarceration for eligible individuals; shift toward treatment-centric remediation.
  • Costs and funding: Requires dedicated funding; details to be defined in the bill (appropriations, state/local funding, cost-savings from reduced recidivism).
  • Implementation challenges: Eligibility determination, program effectiveness, safeguards, and ensuring due process protections.

Next steps for readers

  • Monitor committee actions and floor votes for A 6513 to see how eligibility, funding, and operation details are defined.
  • Review the full bill text (when available) for specific criteria, timelines, and funding provisions.
  • Consider how similar provisions have been addressed in related bills (A 10866, A 5855, A 4146) and prior sessions.

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

Sign in to ask a question.