CA SB43

Requires addiction treatment referral agencies to obtain a certificate of compliance from the Department of Justice before referring persons for remuneration to state-certified or licensed substance use disorder treatment programs or facilities

Prohibits referral agencies from having direct or indirect financial interests in treatment programs or facilities they do business with, and requires separate certificates for agencies operating on non-contiguous premises

Establishes conditions for group advertising and referral services, including that referrals must result from patient-initiated responses, fees cannot depend on number of referrals, and member programs must charge usual and customary fees

Authorizes the Department of Justice to suspend or revoke certificates and assess civil penalties up to $20,000 for violations; the Attorney General may bring civil actions against unlicensed referral agencies to recover illegally received remuneration

Exempts local public agencies that perform referral services without cost to recipients when otherwise authorized by law