SB 1438, as introduced, Pavley. Controlled substances: research.
Existing law, the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, requires the Attorney General to encourage research on the misuse and abuse of controlled substances, and, in connection with that research, and in furtherance of the enforcement of the act, authorizes the Attorney General to undertake specific acts, including developing new or improved approaches, techniques, systems, equipment, and devices to strengthen the enforcement of the act.
This bill would additionally permit the Attorney General, in connection with that research, and in furtherance of the enforcement of the act, to authorize hospitals and trauma centers to share information with local law enforcement agencies about controlled substances. The bill would limit the data that may be provided by hospitals and trauma centers to the number of overdoses and the substances suspected as the primary cause of the overdoses. The bill would require that the information shared be shared in a manner that ensures complete patient confidentiality.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
Section 11601 of the Health and Safety Code is
2amended to read:
The Attorney General shall encourage research on
4misuse and abuse of controlled substances. In connection with the
5research, and in furtherance of the enforcement of this division,
6hebegin insert or sheend insert may do all of the following:
7(a) Develop new or improved approaches, techniques, systems,
8begin delete equipmentend deletebegin insert equipment,end insert and devices to strengthen the enforcement
9of this division.
10(b) Enter into contracts with
public agencies, institutions of
11higher education, and private organizations or individuals for the
12purpose of conducting demonstrations or special projectsbegin delete whichend delete
13begin insert thatend insert bear directly on misuse and abuse of controlled substances.
14(c) (1) Authorize hospitals and trauma centers to share
15information with local law enforcement agencies about controlled
16substance overdose trends.
17(2) The information provided by hospitals and trauma centers
18pursuant to this subdivision shall include only the
number of
19overdoses and the substances suspected as the primary cause of
20the overdoses. Any information shared pursuant to this subdivision
21shall be shared in a manner that ensures complete patient
22confidentiality.
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