Substance Use Patient Bill of Rights Becomes Law in California

California starting in January will establish uniform ethical standards for substance-use treatment programs and enforcement under just-enacted legislation.

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed the bill (S.B. 349), which requires rehabilitation facilities to adopt a substance user’s bill of rights. The measure follows prosecutions of multimillion-dollar insurance fraud schemes in Southern California.

“People seeking treatment have a right to know that they are receiving appropriate and safe care,” Newsom said in a Wednesday night statement announcing he signed the bill. “There is no place in California for treatment providers who take advantage of those struggling with addiction – and ...