Bill Full Text
Home
-
Bills
-
Bill
-
Authors
-
Dates
-
Locations
-
Analyses
-
Organizations
<?xml version="1.0" ?>
<ns0:MeasureDoc xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xmlns:ns0="http://lc.ca.gov/legalservices/schemas/caml.1#" xmlns:ns3="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" version="1.0" xsi:schemaLocation="http://lc.ca.gov/legalservices/schemas/caml.1# xca.1.xsd">
<ns0:Description>
<ns0:Id>20250SB__075198AMD</ns0:Id>
<ns0:VersionNum>98</ns0:VersionNum>
<ns0:History>
<ns0:Action>
<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2025-02-21</ns0:ActionDate>
</ns0:Action>
<ns0:Action>
<ns0:ActionText>AMENDED_SENATE</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2025-04-28</ns0:ActionDate>
</ns0:Action>
</ns0:History>
<ns0:LegislativeInfo>
<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
<ns0:SessionNum>0</ns0:SessionNum>
<ns0:MeasureType>SB</ns0:MeasureType>
<ns0:MeasureNum>751</ns0:MeasureNum>
<ns0:MeasureState>AMD</ns0:MeasureState>
</ns0:LegislativeInfo>
<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Senators Becker and Jones</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:AuthorText authorType="PRINCIPAL_COAUTHOR_OPPOSITE">(Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Lowenthal)</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:AuthorText authorType="COAUTHOR_ORIGINATING">(Coauthors: Senators Archuleta, Smallwood-Cuevas, and Wiener)</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:AuthorText authorType="COAUTHOR_OPPOSITE">(Coauthors: Assembly Members Bryan, Flora, Jackson, and Wallis)</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Becker</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Jones</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>PRINCIPAL_COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Lowenthal</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Archuleta</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Smallwood-Cuevas</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>SENATE</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Wiener</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Bryan</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Flora</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Jackson</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Legislator>
<ns0:Contribution>COAUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Wallis</ns0:Name>
</ns0:Legislator>
</ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Title> An act to add and repeal Article 6 (commencing with Section 11310) of Chapter 5 of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to controlled substances, and making an appropriation therefor. </ns0:Title>
<ns0:RelatingClause>controlled substances, and making an appropriation therefor</ns0:RelatingClause>
<ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:Subject>Veterans and Former First Responders Research Pilot Program.</ns0:Subject>
</ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:DigestText>
<html:p>Existing law makes it a crime to possess, cultivate, and administer specified controlled substances, including psilocybin and psilocyn. Existing law makes it a crime for a person to rent, lease, or make available for use any building or room for the purpose of storing or distributing any controlled substance.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would, until January 1, 2031, request the University of California to establish local pilots in up to 5 counties to allow for the research and development of psilocybin services for
veterans and former first responders as part of the Veterans and Former First Responders Research Pilot Program (”Pilot Program“). The bill would require these university partners, overseeing each Pilot Program to be responsible for protocol design, institutional review board approvals, training of psilocybin facilitators, data collection, and reporting. The bill would require each local pilot to partner with licensed health care and licensed community-based providers that provide services and care
to the target population. The bill would require psilocybin to be provided by or under the supervision of a practitioner who has experience in providing or overseeing psilocybin or other psychedelic therapy services. The bill would require that each person being considered for the Pilot Program meet specified criteria, including that they are 21 years of age or older and have been given specified assessments.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would request the University of California to report specified information about the
Pilot Program to the
Legislature, the Secretary of California Health and Human Services, and the Governor by January 15, 2030. The bill would establish the Veterans and
Former First Responders Research Pilot Special Fund and would continuously appropriate the fund to the University of California for the purposes of these provisions. The bill would request the University of California to apply for and accept grants, donations, and federal funding for the purposes of the Pilot Program, and would require those moneys to be deposited in
the fund.</html:p>
</ns0:DigestText>
<ns0:DigestKey>
<ns0:VoteRequired>MAJORITY</ns0:VoteRequired>
<ns0:Appropriation>YES</ns0:Appropriation>
<ns0:FiscalCommittee>YES</ns0:FiscalCommittee>
<ns0:LocalProgram>NO</ns0:LocalProgram>
</ns0:DigestKey>
<ns0:MeasureIndicators>
<ns0:ImmediateEffect>NO</ns0:ImmediateEffect>
<ns0:ImmediateEffectFlags>
<ns0:Urgency>NO</ns0:Urgency>
<ns0:TaxLevy>NO</ns0:TaxLevy>
<ns0:Election>NO</ns0:Election>
<ns0:UsualCurrentExpenses>NO</ns0:UsualCurrentExpenses>
<ns0:BudgetBill>NO</ns0:BudgetBill>
<ns0:Prop25TrailerBill>NO</ns0:Prop25TrailerBill>
</ns0:ImmediateEffectFlags>
</ns0:MeasureIndicators>
</ns0:Description>
<ns0:Bill id="bill">
<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_7B783D45-7E29-4D1D-8B40-3BB96022F53C">
<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:</html:p>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Every day, an average of 17.6 veterans die by suicide.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Similarly troubling, first responders, including law enforcement officers and firefighters, are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. The Legislature acknowledges that one veteran or first responder life lost to suicide is too many.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Legislature acknowledges the significant mental health challenges veterans and former first responders face. These individuals are often exposed to traumatic experiences that can lead to conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder,
depression, and anxiety.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Emerging research suggests that psilocybin and psilocyn, when used in a controlled setting, may offer significant benefits in treating mental health disorders, particularly those related to trauma and stress. The United States Food and Drug Administration has determined that preliminary clinical evidence indicates psilocybin may demonstrate substantial improvement over available therapies for treatment-resistant depression and has granted a breakthrough therapy designation for a treatment that uses psilocybin as a therapy for treatment-resistant depression.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(e)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Psilocybin should be available to veterans and former first responders in a manner that ensures safety, efficacy, and ethical standards, including use only under
appropriate supervision.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(f)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
California can conduct federally regulated pilot trials of psilocybin services in partnership with community-based licensed health care settings to determine if and how psilocybin can be provided to veterans and first responders in a beneficial and effective manner.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:BillSection>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_579CEE03-7B77-4778-95B3-71C380C7F0E1">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 2.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>The purpose of this act is to establish a pilot program to develop and study protocols for providing psilocybin in strict compliance with United States Food and Drug Administration and United States Drug Enforcement Administration regulations, for the benefit of certain target populations.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:BillSection>
<ns0:BillSection id="id_834C09E5-882D-4E3C-8E9A-D02A13795951">
<ns0:Num>SEC. 3.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:ActionLine action="IS_ADDED" ns3:href="urn:caml:codes:HSC:caml#xpointer(%2Fcaml%3ALawDoc%2Fcaml%3ACode%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'DIVISION'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'10.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'CHAPTER'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'5.'%5D%2Fcaml%3ALawHeading%5B%40type%3D'ARTICLE'%20and%20caml%3ANum%3D'6.'%5D)" ns3:label="fractionType: LAW_SPREAD||commencingWith: 11310" ns3:type="locator">
Article 6 (commencing with Section 11310) is added to Chapter 5 of Division 10 of the
<ns0:DocName>Health and Safety Code</ns0:DocName>
, to read:
</ns0:ActionLine>
<ns0:Fragment>
<ns0:LawHeading id="id_CF296317-9EB6-47F5-9851-5A69FB84349D" type="ARTICLE">
<ns0:Num>6.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawHeadingVersion id="id_BC0D8626-063E-4449-B165-33F46D834049">
<ns0:LawHeadingText>Veterans and Former First Responders Research Pilot Program</ns0:LawHeadingText>
</ns0:LawHeadingVersion>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_7C832AF2-B7DE-4E67-B605-0ED02110F94B">
<ns0:Num>11310.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_5F9DC357-DCAB-4DBB-AEE4-499777D48BF3">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>This article shall apply to the University of California to the extent that the Regents of the University of California, by appropriate resolution, make that provision applicable.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_15C4A060-B52D-4B63-923F-CC49A8BDE210">
<ns0:Num>11311.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_4C930EB4-3CED-4BAF-977F-9CB84C061B44">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>For the purposes of this article, the following definitions apply:</html:p>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Veterans and Former First Responders Research Pilot Program” or “Pilot Program” refers to a structured initiative designed to provide regulated and investigational psilocybin services for adults within a target population with qualifying conditions, compliant with United States Food and Drug Administration and United States Drug Enforcement Administration regulations.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Pilot Program providers” means licensed health care and licensed community-based providers with the ability and authorization to provide services under the Pilot Program and is limited to mental health clinics, United States Department of Veterans Affairs clinics, hospice care agencies, and other therapeutic care organizations.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Local pilot” refers to the operation of the Pilot Program within each of the participating
counties.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Psilocybin” means a naturally occurring psychedelic compound derived from specific species of fungi.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(e)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Target population” refers to veterans and
former first responders.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(f)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“Qualifying condition” means a severe mental health disorder.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(g)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
“University partners” refers to accredited institutions within the University of California system responsible for overseeing Pilot Program activities within each local pilot.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_CEBEEDA6-F848-45CA-A890-92DFB2BA5449">
<ns0:Num>11312.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_5DBCFF20-AA5E-4856-B52E-DEEEC136DD35">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The University of California is requested to establish local pilots in up to five counties to allow for the research and development of psilocybin services for target populations and to oversee each university partner. These university partners shall be responsible for protocol design, institutional review board approvals, administration, data collection, and reporting.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The local pilot shall partner
with Pilot Program providers that provide services and care to the target population. Psilocybin shall be provided by or under the supervision of a practitioner who has experience in providing or overseeing psilocybin or other psychedelic therapy services.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_50D747DC-DE43-474F-91B0-6E3AC315C1DC">
<ns0:Num>11313.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_A5387136-3404-4E39-AD3D-35D8D03B093B">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>The university partner overseeing each local pilot shall maintain strict protocols following the most recent guidelines from the United States Food and Drug Administration related to clinical trials for psychedelics.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_0A07B7F2-10B3-46C1-AA70-0DEEB0E302E7">
<ns0:Num>11314.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_21E236FE-D714-45F3-B489-69DEFE96C076">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Each local pilot shall ensure that each person being considered for the Pilot Program meets, at a minimum, all of the following criteria:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Is part of the target population.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Has a documented qualifying condition under this article.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Is 21 years of age or older.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(4)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Has been given an initial assessment by the practitioner in subdivision (b) of Section 11312 to determine the person is appropriate to participate in the Pilot Program.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The purpose
of the assessment shall be to understand each participant’s goals and expectations and to assess their mental and physical health history for any concerns that require further intervention or information before receiving psilocybin therapy services and an integration session after receiving psilocybin therapy services.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Each local pilot shall ensure that, prior to being enrolled in the Pilot Program, each person in the target population has been informed about, at a minimum, all of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The implications of being treated with psilocybin and any possible or documented side effects or immediate and lasting aftereffects.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Other treatments that may be effective if the person has not previously been treated.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The option to speak to a
peer or other counselor prior to accepting participation in the Pilot Program, as well as future opportunities to speak to a peer or other counselor.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(4)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The option to withdraw from the Pilot Program at any time, and their right to receive aftercare, if necessary, upon ending treatment with psilocybin.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_9DDB7E46-68FB-4A39-B3C8-2B12AD1384A4">
<ns0:Num>11315.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_8AF4B02C-20F6-4441-975F-167E48D2A07C">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>Each local pilot shall collect and provide data, including how each person in the target population inquired about, was referred to, or learned about the Pilot Program, as well as longitudinal data after treatments have concluded, that is relevant to the outcomes of the Pilot Program to the university partner, as determined with input from the
university partner.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_8079A9FE-1557-44CC-9083-0F0D3681A7C4">
<ns0:Num>11316.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_4C1E9732-1DB7-489B-9B73-FF1EB7A900B6">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The University of California is requested to enter into an agreement with each university partner approved for participation in the Pilot Program. The agreement shall specify, at a minimum, all
of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The amount of funding available to the local pilot.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The conditions under which payments will be made.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Data collection and sharing requirements.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(4)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Reporting requirements.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The sharing of health information, records, and other data with and among pilot entities and participating entities shall be permitted to the extent necessary for the activities and purposes set forth in this chapter.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The
University of California is requested to research whether national data-sharing programs or practice-based research networks exist for psychedelic research and to encourage university partners to participate in those programs if they are operational and consistent with quality standards for similar collaborative research networks in other health fields.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_D677F036-5039-45C7-B4D9-B081D331E1E6">
<ns0:Num>11317.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_0DF064B7-5617-46C2-97E6-9F0B6916AEE8">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
University partners are requested to submit midyear and annual reports to the office of the President of the University of California in accordance with schedules and guidelines established by the office of the President.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
University partners are requested to confer and choose a single independent entity to conduct a peer-reviewed study of the statewide efficacy of the Pilot Program and the community impacts of the local pilots to be completed on or before January 15, 2029, and are requested to submit the study to the Legislature and the Secretary of California Health and Human Services
by that date.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
By no later than January 15, 2030, the University of California is requested to compile and submit the pilot program outcomes, data analysis, and recommendations from the university partners into a comprehensive report to the Legislature, the Secretary of California Health and Human Services, and the Governor’s office.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
A report to be submitted pursuant to this section
shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_8BD83736-AF43-4CF8-9547-089319D0F99B">
<ns0:Num>11318.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_567BBD11-55CC-4ADA-89B8-E37A4D9C4BB3">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Veterans and Former First Responders Research Pilot Special Fund is hereby established in the State Treasury. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, moneys deposited in the Veterans and Former First Responders Research Pilot Special Fund pursuant to this section shall be continuously appropriated, without regard to fiscal years, to the
University of California for allocation to each local pilot for the purposes of this article.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The University of California is requested to apply for and accept grants, donations, and federal funding for the purposes of this article. Any moneys received pursuant to this subdivision shall be deposited in the Veterans and Former First Responders Research Pilot Special Fund.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Moneys in the Veterans and
Former
First Responders Research Pilot Special Fund shall be used for, but are not limited to, all of the following purposes:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Program administration and oversight.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Training of medical staff and research supervisors.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Data collection, analysis, and reporting.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(4)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Community engagement and education initiatives.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(5)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Requested peer or other counseling services by any person in the target population either prior to, during, or after participating in the local pilot.
</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
<ns0:LawSection id="id_D7ACDFED-7A94-4B5E-84E7-FD18220C9649">
<ns0:Num>11319.</ns0:Num>
<ns0:LawSectionVersion id="id_3D56D7D2-BE47-4DBF-B7FC-51939C901E76">
<ns0:Content>
<html:p>This article shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed.</html:p>
</ns0:Content>
</ns0:LawSectionVersion>
</ns0:LawSection>
</ns0:LawHeading>
</ns0:Fragment>
</ns0:BillSection>
</ns0:Bill>
</ns0:MeasureDoc>