Eliminate False Advertising
Recovering addicts are lured to California under a remarkable number of premises. First and foremost, many recovery businesses claim they are providing some form of medical treatment, boosting their credibility without any substantiation. The reality? The vast majority of recovery businesses are not licensed to provide medical services and are only providing non-medical counseling. Some make claims of high success rates, while others guarantee success-- all unsubstantiated and falling far short of the truth. Still others will claim their location is "by the sea" or that there will be a swimming pool or golf course, none of which represents reality. Gourmet chefs turn out to be frozen pizza.
The false promises go uninvestigated by Department of Health Care Services because nothing in the health code apparently defines deceptive marketing practices as unacceptable. Advocates for Responsible Treatment would like to see basic truth in advertising. We supported the following bills.
2021 - SB 349 Umberg
Requires treatment provider provide a patient bill of rights. Requires treatment providers to maintain records fo referrals to/from a recovery residence. Prohibits false advertising. Clarifies definitions of kickbacks and brokering. Civil fine of up to $20,000 for violations.
2021 - SB 434 Bates
Prohibits false and misleading statements about products, goods, services or geographical locations in its marketing, advertising materials, or media or on its internet website by drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities and psychiatric and mental health facilities.
2020 - SB 863 Bates
Prohibited false and misleading statements about products, goods, services or geographical locations in its marketing, advertising materials, or media or on its internet website.
2020 - SB 1086 Umberg - California Ethical Treatment for Persons with Addiction Act (SUPPORT)
Enables DA’s to prosecute for violations. Creates Client Bill of Rights. Prohibitions against false marketing. Requires facilities track referrals. Prohibits kick-backs. Civil penalties of up to $20k.
2019 - SB 589 Bates (Patterson)
Prohibited false and misleading statements about products, goods, services or geographical locations in its marketing, advertising materials, or media or on its internet website.
The false promises go uninvestigated by Department of Health Care Services because nothing in the health code apparently defines deceptive marketing practices as unacceptable. Advocates for Responsible Treatment would like to see basic truth in advertising. We supported the following bills.
2021 - SB 349 Umberg
Requires treatment provider provide a patient bill of rights. Requires treatment providers to maintain records fo referrals to/from a recovery residence. Prohibits false advertising. Clarifies definitions of kickbacks and brokering. Civil fine of up to $20,000 for violations.
2021 - SB 434 Bates
Prohibits false and misleading statements about products, goods, services or geographical locations in its marketing, advertising materials, or media or on its internet website by drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities and psychiatric and mental health facilities.
2020 - SB 863 Bates
Prohibited false and misleading statements about products, goods, services or geographical locations in its marketing, advertising materials, or media or on its internet website.
2020 - SB 1086 Umberg - California Ethical Treatment for Persons with Addiction Act (SUPPORT)
Enables DA’s to prosecute for violations. Creates Client Bill of Rights. Prohibitions against false marketing. Requires facilities track referrals. Prohibits kick-backs. Civil penalties of up to $20k.
2019 - SB 589 Bates (Patterson)
Prohibited false and misleading statements about products, goods, services or geographical locations in its marketing, advertising materials, or media or on its internet website.