Alcohol and other drug programs.

Assembly Member Dixon's legislation enhances death reporting requirements for licensed alcohol and drug treatment facilities in California, building upon the State Department of Health Care Services' existing oversight framework. The measure, known as John's Law, requires facilities to submit any newly discovered information about resident deaths to the department within 30 days of the initial incident, supplementing current rules that mandate preliminary reports within one working day and detailed written documentation within seven days.

The legislation establishes a formal process for addressing violations discovered during death investigations. When department officials identify infractions of licensing provisions, they must issue a written notice of deficiency that includes specific instructions and deadlines for facility responses. To facilitate implementation, the department may utilize all-county letters, provider bulletins, and similar communications without undertaking additional regulatory procedures.

These provisions modify the department's death investigation protocols while maintaining its core responsibility for administering prevention, treatment, and recovery services for alcohol and drug abuse. The department continues to certify and regulate adult treatment programs, with the new requirements creating additional documentation and compliance obligations for licensed facilities.