California Senate Bill SB1438 Introduced / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: SB 1438INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Pavley FEBRUARY 21, 2014 An act to amend Section 11601 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to controlled substances. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST 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 1. Section 11601 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read: 11601. The Attorney General shall encourage research on misuse and abuse of controlled substances. In connection with the research, and in furtherance of the enforcement of this division, he  or she  may do all of the following: (a) Develop new or improved approaches, techniques, systems,  equipment   equipment,  and devices to strengthen the enforcement of this division. (b) Enter into contracts with public agencies, institutions of higher education, and private organizations or individuals for the purpose of conducting demonstrations or special projects  which   that  bear directly on misuse and abuse of controlled substances.  (c) (1) Authorize hospitals and trauma centers to share information with local law enforcement agencies about controlled substance overdose trends.   (2) The information provided by hospitals and trauma centers pursuant to this subdivision shall include only the number of overdoses and the substances suspected as the primary cause of the overdoses. Any information shared pursuant to this subdivision shall be shared in a manner that ensures complete patient confidentiality.