BILL NUMBER: AB 2197	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Coto

                        FEBRUARY 18, 2010

   An act to amend Section 4369.2 of the Welfare and Institutions
Code, relating to problem gambling.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2197, as introduced, Coto. Problem and pathological gambling.
   Existing law establishes the Office of Problem and Pathological
Gambling within the State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs,
and sets forth its duties relating to prevention and control of
problem and pathological gambling, as defined.
   This bill would require the prevention program developed by the
office to include development of education and awareness programs
that specifically target geographically diverse multicultural
populations, and would permit the office to develop a grant program
for education, outreach, and prevention, giving preferences to grant
applications that meet prescribed conditions.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 4369.2 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is
amended to read:
   4369.2.  (a) The office shall develop a problem gambling
prevention program, which shall be the first priority for funding
appropriated to this office. The prevention program shall be based
upon the allocation priorities established by the department and
subject to funding being appropriated for the purpose of this
subdivision, and shall consist of all of the following:
   (1) A toll-free telephone service for immediate crisis management
and containment with subsequent referral of problem and pathological
gamblers to health providers who can provide treatment for 
gambling related   gambling related  problems and
to self-help groups.
   (2) Public awareness campaigns that focus on prevention and
education among the general public including, for example,
dissemination of  youth oriented   youth
oriented  preventive literature, educational experiences, and
public service announcements in the media. 
   (3) Development of problem gambling education and awareness
programs that specifically target geographically diverse
multicultural populations.  
    (3) 
    (4)  Empirically driven research programs focusing on
epidemiology/prevalence, etiology/causation, and best practices in
prevention and treatment. 
    (4) 
    (5)  Training of health care professionals and
educators, and training for law enforcement agencies and nonprofit
organizations in the identification of problem gambling behavior and
knowledge of referral services and treatment programs. 
    (5) 
    (6)  Training of gambling industry personnel in
identifying customers at risk for problem and pathological gambling
and knowledge of referral and treatment services.
   (b) The office shall develop a program to support treatment
services for California residents with problem and pathological
gambling issues. The program shall be based upon the allocation
priorities established by the department and subject to funding being
appropriated for the purposes of this subdivision. These priorities
shall also be based on the best available existing state programs as
well as on continuing research into best practices and on the needs
of California. The treatment program shall consist of all of the
following components:
   (1) Treatment services for problem and pathological gamblers and
directly involved family members. These treatment services will be
created through partnerships with established health facilities that
can provide treatment for  gambling related  
gambling-related  problems, substance abuse facilities, and
providers.  State funded   State-funded 
treatment may include, but is not limited to, the following:
self-administered, home-based educational programs; outpatient
treatment; residential treatment; and inpatient treatment when
medically necessary.
   (2) A funding allocation methodology that ensures treatment
services are delivered efficiently and effectively to areas of the
state most in need.
   (3) Appropriate review and monitoring of treatment programs by the
director of the office or a designated institution, including grant
oversight and monitoring, standards for treatment, and outcome
monitoring.
   (4) Treatment efforts shall provide services that are relevant to
the needs of a diverse multicultural population with attention to
groups with unique needs, including female gamblers, underserved
ethnic groups, the elderly, and the physically challenged. 
   (c) The office may develop a grant program for education,
outreach, and prevention. In establishing the grant program, the
office may give preference to grant applications that do any of the
following:  
   (1)  Provide matching funds to coordinate efforts and maximize the
effectiveness of limited funds to raise awareness and change the
behavior of at-risk populations.  
   (2) Target geographically diverse multicultural populations. 

   (3) Educate youth.  
    (c) 
    (d)  The office shall make information available as
requested by the Governor and the Legislature with respect to the
comprehensive program.