Bill
AB 634
AB 634 would add tianeptine to California's Schedule I, making its manufacture, possession, sale, and use illegal and triggering enforcement costs with no state reimbursement.
AB 634 — Comprehensive Summary
Overview
- Bill number: AB 634
- Title: Controlled substances: tianeptine
- Purpose: To classify tianeptine as a Schedule I controlled substance under the California Uniform Controlled Substances Act, thereby making its manufacture, possession, sale, and use illegal under state law.
- Introduced: February 13, 2025
- Current status: In committee (Public Safety). First hearing was set but canceled at the request of the author. Referred to the Committee on Public Safety on March 3, 2025. The latest action shows “In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author” with additional legislative actions indicating a hearing may be re-scheduled.
- Fiscal/Local impact: The bill is non-appropriations (no net state cost) but would create a state-mandated local program. The bill includes a provision stating no reimbursement is required for this act (i.e., no state-mandated-local-cost reimbursement).
What the bill would do
- Main action: Add tianeptine to Schedule I of the California Uniform Controlled Substances Act.
- Schedule I implication: Schedule I is the most restrictive schedule, generally prohibiting prescription, furnishing, possession, sale, and use except as expressly authorized. Violations are crimes under state law.
- Placement detail: Tianeptine is listed as item (43) within the opiates category in Schedule I, alongside other opiate-like substances and related precursors.
Key provisions and changes
- Section 11054 amendment: The Health and Safety Code’s Schedule I list would be amended to explicitly include tianeptine among opiates.
- Scope of control: By placing tianeptine in Schedule I, the bill would apply the same prohibitions that govern other Schedule I substances (restricting prescription, furnishing, possession, sale, and use).
- Administrative costs: The bill would create a state-mandated local program (i.e., local agencies could incur costs enforcing or implementing the scheduling). The bill also includes a provision stating that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason, indicating the author intends to limit state-mandated-local-cost reimbursements.
- No funding assurances: Despite recognizing a potential local cost, the bill explicitly states that no local reimbursement is required.
Who would be affected
- Individuals: Possession, distribution, or use of tianeptine would become criminal offenses under state law.
- Medical and health professionals: Prescribing or recommending tianeptine would be illegal in California if it involves any controlled-use activities; this would align with other Schedule I substances.
- Law enforcement and local agencies: Enforcement and potential operational costs related to scheduling, investigations, and penalties.
- Businesses: Any manufacture, distribution, or sale of tianeptine within California would fall under Schedule I restrictions.
Timeline and procedural notes
- 2025-02-13: Introduced (read first time).
- 2025-03-03: Referred to Com. on Public Safety.
- 2025-04-29: In committee; set for first hearing; hearing canceled at the request of the author.
- Legislative posture: Majority vote with no anticipated appropriation; Fiscal Committee support indicated; Local Program impact acknowledged.
Important notes
- The core substantive effect is the formal scheduling of tianeptine as Schedule I, aligning California law with a prohibition framework that limits medical use, increases penalties for possession and distribution, and imposes local enforcement costs without a required state reimbursement.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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