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<ns0:Id>20250AB__253899INT</ns0:Id>
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<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-02-20</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
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<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Assembly Member Macedo</ns0:AuthorText>
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<ns0:Name>Macedo</ns0:Name>
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<ns0:Title> An act to amend Section 4369.2 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to problem gambling.</ns0:Title>
<ns0:RelatingClause>problem gambling</ns0:RelatingClause>
<ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:Subject>Gambling disorder prevention.</ns0:Subject>
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<html:p>Existing law establishes the Office of Problem Gambling in the State Department of Public Health and requires the office to develop a gambling disorder prevention program that includes, among other components, a toll-free telephone service for immediate crisis management, public awareness campaigns, and training of gambling industry personnel in identifying customers who are at risk for gambling disorders. Existing law also requires the office to develop a treatment program for those purposes, which may include, among other things, state-funded treatment services in the form of telephone counseling. Existing law requires the office to make information available regarding this program as requested by the Governor and the Legislature.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would delete the authorization for telephone counseling treatment services and instead authorize
telehealth counseling. The bill would also require the office to make the information available if it is requested by a county health officer.</html:p>
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<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
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<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
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Section 4369.2 of the
<ns0:DocName>Welfare and Institutions Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
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<ns0:Num>4369.2.</ns0:Num>
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<html:p>
(a)
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The office shall develop a gambling disorder prevention program that consists of all of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
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A toll-free telephone service for immediate crisis management with subsequent referrals of gamblers and affected individuals to both of the following:
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<html:p>
(A)
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Health providers at various levels of care who can provide treatment for gambling disorders and related problems.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
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Self-help groups.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
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Public awareness campaigns that focus on prevention and education among the general public including, for example, dissemination of
youth-oriented preventive literature, educational experiences, and public service announcements in the media.
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<html:p>
(3)
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Empirically driven research programs focusing on epidemiology/prevalence, etiology/causation, and best practices in prevention and treatment.
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<html:p>
(4)
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Training of health care professionals and educators, and training for law enforcement agencies and nonprofit organizations in the identification of gambling disorders and knowledge of referral services and treatment programs.
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<html:p>
(5)
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Training of gambling industry personnel in identifying customers at risk for gambling disorders and knowledge of referral and treatment services.
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<html:p>
(b)
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The office shall develop a treatment program for California residents who have a
gambling disorder or who are affected individuals. The treatment program may consist of all of the following components:
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<html:p>
(1)
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Training for licensed health providers, including screening and assessment of gambling disorders, the use of evidence-based treatment modalities, and the administrative practices for treatment services implemented under this chapter.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
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A network of licensed health providers authorized to receive reimbursement from the state for the provision of treatment services. This network may be created through partnerships with established health or substance use disorder facilities or individuals in private practice that can provide treatment for gambling disorders.
State-funded
treatment services may include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
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<html:p>
(A)
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Self-administered, home-based educational programs.
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(B)
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Telehealth counseling.
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(C)
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Group treatment.
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(D)
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Outpatient treatment.
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(E)
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Inpatient residential treatment if medically necessary.
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(3)
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A research program to conduct studies
and develop evidence-based tools for use in treating gambling disorders.
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(4)
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A funding allocation methodology that ensures treatment services are delivered efficiently and effectively to areas of the state most in need.
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(5)
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Appropriate review and monitoring of the treatment program by the director of the office or a designated institution, including grant oversight and monitoring of contracts, the standards for treatment, and outcome monitoring.
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<html:p>
(6)
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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.
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(c)
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The office shall make information
available, as requested by the
Governor, the Legislature, or a county health officer, with respect to the comprehensive program.
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