CA AB2376

Expands the definition of "chemical dependency recovery services" to include medications for addiction treatment and medically supervised voluntary inpatient detoxification, but excludes treatment of severe, life-threatening intoxication and withdrawal syndromes.

Allows general acute care hospitals and acute psychiatric hospitals to provide chemical dependency recovery services as a supplemental service within the same building or in a separate building on campus meeting freestanding facility requirements, without requiring a distinct part designation.

Permits chemical dependency recovery services in general acute care or acute psychiatric hospitals without a distinct part, using beds licensed for other services, if staff meet appropriate competencies and nurse-to-patient staffing ratios are maintained.

Requires hospitals and units providing chemical dependency recovery services that meet federal Part 2 program criteria to provide confidentiality protections required by federal regulations to patients with substance use disorders.

Authorizes the State Department of Public Health to implement and interpret these provisions through All Facilities Letters or similar instructions without formal regulatory action.