CAADAC - Legislation News

AB 1367 Update	7:24 PM, Jan 30 2008
We are very sad to inform you that our bill did not make it out of appropriations. However, please be informed: this is not just another failed CAADAC licensure bill! We want to let you know that along with the incredibly skillful guidance of our lobbyist, Willie Guerrero, at Kahn, Soares and Conway, your legislative committee removed all of the influential opposition to the bill and, if it weren't for the dismal financial situation of California, all indications were that licensure would have become law this year. To let you know just how dismal the financial situation is, there were about 68 bills heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Thursday, the cost of which totaled about 6 billion dollars. Only about 20 bills passed -- with a total price tag to the state of 1.5 million! Willie Guerrero summed it up for us in this way: Read More
AB 1367 Next Step...	5:21 PM, Jan 18 2008
The Appropriations Committee hearing for AB 1367, Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors Licensing Law is set for January 24, 2007 at 8:30am. The CAADAC Legislative Committee will represent CAADAC at the meeting. You are also welcome to attend! State Capital Building, Sacramento, CA Room 4202.
AB 1367 Alcoholism and Drug Counselor Licensing Law (DeSaulnier) through the Assembly Business and Professions Committee!	1:38 AM, Jan 18 2008
As you may know, CAADAC has sponsored several licensing bills from 1993 – 2004. Only one of those bills, SB 537 (Vasconcellos, 2001), made it to the governor’s desk and was eventually vetoed by Governor Davis. It is my pleasure to announce the passage of AB 1367 Alcoholism and Drug Counselor Licensing Law (DeSaulnier) through the Assembly Business and Professions Committee! Yesterday’s victory is the first of its kind for CAADAC sponsored legislation in seven years and, although there is still much work to be done, it is definitely one to be remembered and celebrated! With any piece of legislation there is a vast amount of work put forth to get to this stage of the legislative process. CAADAC is very appreciative and indebted to the esteemed Assembly Member Mark DeSaulnier and his honorable staff for their hard work and dedication in regards to assuring higher standards of competency for counselors in our great state. I would like to personally thank and congratulate Assembly Member DeSaulnier and his staff for their success yesterday. The Assemblyman’s leadership and passion in this area have been truly inspiring – we are extremely fortunate to have him in our corner. Read More
OVERVIEW OF LEGISLATIVE PROCESS	1:53 AM, Jan 18 2008
The process of government by which bills are considered and laws enacted is commonly referred to as the Legislative Process. The California State Legislature is made up of two houses: the Senate and the Assembly. There are 40 Senators and 80 Assembly Members representing the people of the State of California. The Legislature has a legislative calendar containing important dates of activities during its two-year session. Read More
Next Hearing for AB 1367: Jan. 15, 2008	11:53 PM, Jan 07 2008
"Calling all CAADAC Members, Students and Certificants!" The hearing for AB 1367, Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors Licensing Law is set for January 15, 2008 with the Assembly Business and Professions Committee. The hearing will commence at 9:00 am in Room 447 of the State Capitol in Sacramento CA. (The State Capital building is located on 10th and L Street - a link to the map is below.) CA State Capital Map All letters of support have been submitted, however, if your legislator is listed below; *please* take a couple of minutes to call him/her and request his/her vote to support AB 1367. Click here for Talking Points to assist you with the call. We look forward to seeing you at the State Capital on January 15th! Read More
LICENSURE HEARING DATE HAS CHANGED TO OCTOBER 30TH!	5:22 PM, Sep 19 2007
Join us on October 30, 2007 in Monterey Park, California when the Assembly Business and Professions Committee will convene to explore all issues concerning licensure of addiction counselors and take testimony from experts and stakeholders relative to our licensure proposal, Assembly Bill 1367 authored by Assembly Member Mark DeSaulnier. CAADAC MEMBERS… IT’S TIME TO SUIT UP AND SHOW UP! Let’s provide a spirited debate and huge attendance at this hearing! When: October 30, 2007 Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Where: Monterey Park City Council Chambers 320 W. Newmark Avenue Monterey Park, CA. Nearby Hotels: Lincoln Plazal .4 miles from the hearing location. 123 South Lincoln Avenue Monterey Park, CA 91755 1(800) 557-8999 Nearest major airport: Los Angeles, CA (LAX-Los Angeles Intl.) Average Room $85.00 per night Comfort Inn: 2 Miles from the hearing location* 588 S Atlantic Blvd Monterey Park, CA 91754 626-308-9600 Nearest major airport: Los Angeles, CA (LAX-Los Angeles Intl.)
CAADAC Prepares for Interim Hearing on AODA Counseling Profession	10:33 PM, Jun 27 2007
CAADAC is now organizing materials and witnesses for an interim study committee focused on the profession of alcoholism and drug abuse counseling. This hearing will allow us to highlight for legislators the various problems associated with the provision of addiction counseling services in our great state – particularly in the private arena.CAADAC is now organizing materials and witnesses for an interim study committee focused on the profession of alcoholism and drug abuse counseling. This hearing will allow us to highlight for legislators the various problems associated with the provision of addiction counseling services in our great state – particularly in the private arena. This opportunity differs substantially from a typical hearing where our side may only have five minutes to present key arguments. Rather we will be a key participant in a hearing that will likely last over two hours and explore a variety of issues of interest to anyone who provides counseling services in California. For example, the committee may examine the need for counselor standards and state oversight in the private arena; the adequacy of counselor standards in the public arena; best practices in other states and countries; and the roles and interplay of the various organizations that cater to the provision of addiction counselor services. We have proved the committee staff with recommendations on panel topics and participants whom we expect will receive substantial consideration. Once that agenda has been established we will work with our contacts, CAADAC members and constituents to build interest in this important hearing. Having involvement by all interested constituents and individuals will expand our scope of influence beyond the legislature to the public at large and hopefully generate support for AB 1367! All of this will prove critical and provide momentum as our licensure legislation resumes its path to the Governor’s desk in January, 2008. More will be revealed in the near future, please get involved now! To send a letter of support for licensure click here!
Legislative Round-up	2:13 AM, Apr 05 2007
Our proposal for licensure is currently under review by four legislators who have expressed interest in carrying this critical measure. Once we agree on an author the measure will be introduced and each CAADAC member will be advised through our new grass roots mobilizing software, CapWiz, to send in letters of support. Like all legislative measures, our bill will have to sit idle for one month before it can be considered by a policy committee and the Joint Committee on Boards, Commissions and Consumer Protection. Fortunately, we have been advised that our measure will not have to undergo a complete year-long review by the Joint Committee given that a previous licensure bill sponsored by CAADAC successfully went through that process years ago. The bill will, however, face a nominal review where an updated questionnaire on the need for our legislation will be considered. Read More
CAADAC Build Licensure Coalition	2:10 AM, Apr 05 2007
Although the last year of a two-year legislative session is a difficult time to introduce controversial legislation, the California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC) is moving forward with plans to “fast track” legislation to the Governor’s desk to gauge the administration’s willingness to address one of the major problems facing the state’s treatment industry-consumer protection. Read More
Political Awareness and Action	2:14 AM, Apr 05 2007
The President’s Message in the September/October issue of the magazine of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT), The Therapist, had a great exercise about Political Action Awareness. He got the idea from CAMFT’s Executive Director, Mary Riemersma, and with her permission, I am presenting it to you. Read More
CAADAC Forms Political Action Committee	1:56 AM, Apr 05 2007
The CAADAC/PAC is a non-partisan political action committee dedicated to advancing the interests of CAADAC members and their clients and practices before the California Legislature. Read More
Sample Letter	1:41 AM, Apr 05 2007
Please help CAADAC make a difference! We have provided a sample letter for your use in communicating to YOUR Assemblyperson how crucial it is to ALL Californians that the addiction professional workforce be properly trained, regulated and compensated. Read More