Public postsecondary education: student behavior: drug and alcohol use: rehabilitation programs.

Assembly Member Haney's legislation redefines how California's public universities address student drug and alcohol use by requiring the University of California and California State University systems to incorporate rehabilitation options into their disciplinary frameworks. The measure mandates that students who receive medical treatment for personal substance use cannot face disciplinary action if they complete an approved rehabilitation program, with this provision applying once per academic term.

Under the bill's provisions, which take effect July 1, 2026, campus administrators must offer students who receive medical care for drug or alcohol violations the opportunity to participate in rehabilitation programming. These programs may include counseling, treatment, or educational interventions. For subsequent violations within the same academic period, institutions retain discretion to pursue standard disciplinary proceedings or offer additional rehabilitation options.

The legislation preserves existing state and federal requirements for reporting campus drug-related crimes while introducing restorative justice practices into disciplinary procedures when circumstances warrant. It explicitly defines rehabilitation programs to encompass various interventions, from individual counseling to group education sessions, allowing institutions flexibility in implementation. The University of California's participation remains subject to approval by its Board of Regents, as required by state law.