Check for Criminal Backgrounds of Investors, Operators, Employees and Consultants
The state of California's low quality standards and lack of oversight make California's drug addiction treatment a haven for criminals and criminal activity. Anyone can work in the industry, often without or with limited training or preparation. In 2012, the California Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes of the California Senate Rules Committee, published "Rogue Rehabs: State failed to police drug and alcohol homes, with deadly results." This was followed in 2013 by "Suspect Treatment: State's lack of scrutiny allows unscreened sex offenders and unethical counselors to treat addicts." Yet, the state legislature has failed to pass any legislation to prohibit previously-identified criminals from exploiting recovering addicts and their health insurance reimbursements.
Bills that have been proposed to tackle this issue, which Advocates for Responsible Treatment has supported, include:
2019 - Patterson - AB 704 (Coauthor Bates)
This bill would have required a person who has responsibility for residents of an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility to be subject to a criminal record review, and would exempt residents from this requirement. DHCS would approve or deny a person’s involvement in the provision of services based on the results of that review.
2018 - AB 2200 - Patterson
Would have required a criminal record review of "a person who has responsibility for residents or frequent or routine contact with residents of an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery facility”
2018 - SB 902 - Bates
Would have required a criminal background check for anyone applying for a license or employed in a business. Those with previous convictions in the last five years for possession of drugs for sale, sales and transportation of controlled substances, and sale of fake drugs, MediCal frauds
Clicking on the orange links above will take you to the specific bills.
Bills that have been proposed to tackle this issue, which Advocates for Responsible Treatment has supported, include:
2019 - Patterson - AB 704 (Coauthor Bates)
This bill would have required a person who has responsibility for residents of an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facility to be subject to a criminal record review, and would exempt residents from this requirement. DHCS would approve or deny a person’s involvement in the provision of services based on the results of that review.
2018 - AB 2200 - Patterson
Would have required a criminal record review of "a person who has responsibility for residents or frequent or routine contact with residents of an alcoholism or drug abuse recovery facility”
2018 - SB 902 - Bates
Would have required a criminal background check for anyone applying for a license or employed in a business. Those with previous convictions in the last five years for possession of drugs for sale, sales and transportation of controlled substances, and sale of fake drugs, MediCal frauds
Clicking on the orange links above will take you to the specific bills.