Alcohol and other drug programs.

Assembly Member Dixon's legislation to modify death reporting requirements at licensed alcohol and drug treatment facilities establishes a three-phase notification system for resident deaths. The measure, known as John's Law, requires facilities to submit initial telephonic reports within one working day, followed by written documentation within seven calendar days, and supplemental information within 30 days of the incident.

The Department of Health Care Services must issue written notices of deficiency when investigations reveal violations of licensing provisions, with specific instructions for facilities to address identified problems. These notices include deadlines for corrective actions. The department may implement and interpret these requirements through administrative communications such as county letters and provider bulletins without formal rulemaking procedures.

The reporting framework builds upon existing death investigation policies that require facilities to document the time, location, and nature of incidents, immediate actions taken, persons contacted, and planned measures to prevent future deaths. While maintaining current requirements for initial notifications, the addition of a 30-day supplemental reporting window creates a mechanism for facilities to submit relevant information that emerges after preliminary reports.