HB4975 Summary

• Amends the Substance Use Disorder Act to include gambling disorders alongside substance use disorders in state prevention, treatment, and recovery programs.

• Requires the Department of Human Services to establish a public education program on gambling disorders that promotes awareness of gambling disorder impacts, stigma reduction, and uses screening, crisis intervention, and treatment to decrease suicide attempts related to gambling issues.

• Mandates licensed gambling establishments and sports wagering licensees post or display statements about obtaining gambling disorder assistance, with the Department determining the specific language.

• Authorizes the Department to provide grants to local entities for gambling disorder prevention, recognition, and response projects, and to support treatment programs through collaboration with community organizations and health care providers.

• Expands definitions and requirements throughout the Act to treat gambling disorders as public health issues comparable to substance use disorders in terms of state coordination, prevention efforts, and patient rights protections.