The fentanyl crisis, retail theft and community-based crimes are impacting every corner of the Golden State. The California State Senate is taking a comprehensive approach on these issues, from evidence-based ways to address the fentanyl crisis through treatment and prevention, to combating retail theft through crime prevention and enhanced tools for law enforcement. This is one of the most important things we can do to support Californians and our communities, and protect and enhance our quality of life.

 

“Alone, these bills are strategic ways to tackle these dual crises of fentanyl and retail theft. But collectively, they are working together for a Safer California. The plan includes a series of targeted policies aimed at stemming the rising tide of retail theft that’s impacting our communities, while also enhancing and protecting the quality of life for Californians and businesses up and down our state. And it includes a slate of legislation built on months of research and extensive outreach with all sides of the fentanyl crisis – a deadly epidemic that we propose to address through evidence-based treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation efforts. I can’t thank this bold group of bipartisan Senators enough for their dedication to move this Plan forward, and look forward to our continued partnership with Speaker Rivas, the Assembly, and Governor Newsom to deliver results for Californians and our communities.”

- Senate Leader Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) 

Our Bills

An Evidence-Based Approach to Fentanyl

Increasing Access to Treatment

  • SB 1319 (Wahab): Expedites approval of projects that expand the continuum of substance use disorder rehab facilities.
  • SB 1320 (Wahab): Requires health plans to develop a mechanism to reimburse providers who provide primary care and behavioral health integrated services.
  • SB 1385 (Roth): Supports navigators in hospital emergency departments and in the criminal justice system to ensure patients and justice-involved individuals are connected to evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder and to ongoing treatment services. *Would include corresponding budget action to ensure navigators receive support training.
  • SB 1442 (Ochoa Bogh & Skinner): Empowers CalRX to supply California with vital United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) approved testing and health assessment equipment, which will help increase access to affordable fentanyl testing strips for diagnostics purposes.  
  • SB 1468 (Ochoa Bogh & Roth): Educates and encourages providers to make use of the new federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) rule to allow practitioners to dispense a three-day supply of narcotic medication to start detoxification treatment or maintenance treatment for people who use opioids.
  • SB 909 (Umberg): Addresses physician shortages in underserved areas by eliminating the cap on the Steven M. Thompson loan repayment program for physicians who agree to provide direct patient care in an underserved area for 36 months.

 
Increasing Awareness and Prevention

  • SB 908 (Cortese): Requires the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to spread awareness of the increase in opioid overdoses and develop guidelines to protect and prevent fentanyl-related deaths of children zero to five.

 

Enhance Substance Use Disorder-Related Services within the Criminal Justice system

  • SB 910 (Umberg): Establishes statewide standards used by collaborative courts to improve programming, drug testing, and medication-assisted treatment for individuals moving through the criminal justice system.
  • SB 950 (Skinner): Expands the number of re-entry hubs to provide more warm hand-offs and treatment options to individuals returning home from the criminal justice system. *Would include corresponding budget action to align state reimbursement models with federal rules to maximize funding potential. 

 

Preventing Fentanyl Trafficking of Xylazine

  • SB 1502 (Ashby): Prevents illicit use and trafficking of Xylazine (aka “tranq”), an animal tranquilizer with no approved human use that is increasingly being found in the illicit drug supply and has been linked to rising overdose deaths across the country. 
     

 
Combating Retail Theft & Community-Based Crime

Preventing criminal activity in the first place

  • SB 1144 (Skinner): Disrupts the sale of stolen goods on online marketplaces by requiring that third-party sellers be certified, and bans sellers suspected of criminal activity from operating through online marketplace platforms. 
     

Deterring repeat offenders and cracking down on sophisticated large-scale professional thieves

  • SB 1416 (Newman): Increases penalties on professional organized retail theft in particularly significant large-scale resale schemes.
     

Strengthening tools for law enforcement to make arrests and prosecute brazen criminal activity

  • SB 905 (Wiener): Removes the locked door loophole for automotive property thefts.  
  • SB 982 (Wahab): Cements the work California has done on organized crime by making the law on organized retail theft permanent.
  • SB 1242 (Min): Requires courts to impose higher penalties on criminals who create fires in order to engage in retail theft. The higher penalties do not impact Proposition 47.  

Hear From the Authors

Senator Angelique Ashby (D-Sacramento), 

SB 1502:

“The fentanyl crisis is deadly and requires our urgent attention. I am honored to join the administration and my colleagues in the legislature with a bill to prevent illicit use and trafficking of Xylazine, also known as tranq, or the zombie drug. In other parts of the country Xylazine addiction has dwarfed fentanyl and destroyed entire communities. In California, we are proactively out front working to prevent this dangerous drug from becoming wide spread in the Golden State. Our efforts to address street drugs and retail theft are community based, data driven and intended to stop cycles of crime and addiction. Keeping Californians safe is our highest priority. I am proud to partner with Governor Newsom, Pro Tem McGuire, and my Senate colleagues on this package of bills to serve California.”

Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose)

SB 908:

“The escalating fentanyl crisis poses a dire threat to our youngest Californians, and it demands immediate action. I am proud to contribute to the 'Working Together for a Safer California' plan with SB 908, which aims to safeguard our youngest children from the dangers of household fentanyl exposure. By introducing robust public health measures, we are not only addressing this potent threat to infants and toddlers, but also reinforcing our commitment to data-driven solutions that halt the cycle of drug abuse. Our legislative package strengthens public health strategies and establishes comprehensive safety measures for all Californians.”

Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine), 

SB 1242:

“Retail theft has become increasingly sophisticated in recent years with scenarios where arson is being used as a tactic to hide and distract from criminal activity. Enough is enough. I’m proud to author SB 1242 as part of a comprehensive strategy to hold criminals accountable, while giving law enforcement the tools they need to successfully prosecute these heinous crimes that put both local communities and retailers at risk.”

Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton), 

SB 1416:

“I’m proud to be among the members of the Senate Democratic Caucus carrying legislation as part of the Safer California Plan, which offers strategic and evidence-based approaches to address some of the most pressing challenges facing California. I look forward to working with leadership on all sides to make results-driven changes that positively impact the lives of the families and businesses we represent.”

Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa), 

SB 1442 and SB 1468:

“Fentanyl-related deaths have deeply affected my district and state in recent years. As a mother, it’s heartbreaking to listen to families describe the tragic deaths of their loved ones. I appreciate the efforts being made in the Senate to join together and fight against these senseless deaths. The opioid crisis doesn’t know political boundaries, and neither should the fight we lead against it as lawmakers. I want to thank Senate pro Tem McGuire for including me to join him on this effort.”

Senator Richard Roth (D-Riverside), 

SB 1385:

“Many of these policies are evidence-based, studies show that rehabilitation is more effective at ending cycles of crime and addiction than incarceration. This package of bills focuses on what has been proven to work and has been guided by research and recommendations from experts. What works is offering people resources, education, and getting people access to programs that will help them get better.”

Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), 

SB 950, SB 1144, and SB 1442:

“I’m honored to join with Senate pro Tempore McGuire and my Senate colleagues on ‘Working Together for a Safer California.’ Our Senate bills put proven solutions to work to combat the opioid crisis, and most significantly, to help prevent deaths from fentanyl overdoses, which have skyrocketed in recent years. Our bills also take on organized crime rings, the players responsible for the growth in retail theft, smash and grabs, and car burglaries, by putting new rules on online sellers and enhancing punishments for serial thieves.”

Senator Thomas Umberg (D-Orange County), 

SB 909 and SB 910:

“I am happy to have been a part of the senate’s working group on fentanyl for the past year. Senator McGuire’s ability to bring us all together and lead on these solutions is truly impressive. As someone who has been involved in drug policy at every level throughout my career, I can assert that we are making progress here in California in terms of opioid addiction and fentanyl.” 

Senator Aisha Wahab (D-Hayward), 

SB 982, SB 1319, SB 1320:

“The Safer California Plan is a strategic approach that will make our communities both healthier and safer – and it advances changes that are absolutely critical right now. We know that we must advance targeted consequences for brazen theft and community-based crime. This plan does that by tackling crime before it begins by disrupting the sale of stolen goods in online marketplaces, increasing penalties and thereby deterring crime, providing tools for law enforcement and prosecutors, and eliminating sunset dates for organized retail theft. This package is a powerful approach, and one our communities need.”

Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), 

SB 905:

“Auto break-ins and other forms of theft have become more organized in recent years, and the tools we use to hold people accountable must evolve as well. This bill package is highly targeted to hold the repeat offenders most responsible for property crime accountable, without undermining the significant criminal justice reforms we’ve enacted in recent years to move away from mass incarceration.”

What Others Are Saying

Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R-San Diego):

“When there is a need at hand, as there is with the fentanyl crisis and retail theft in our state, it’s not time for politics as usual – it’s time to come together and find solutions. That’s what the Senate is aiming to do. I’m optimistic about the proposals here today and look forward to continuing to work together for a Safer California.”

 

Darren Arakawa, President of the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs’ Association:

“The Los Angeles County Police Chiefs' Association supports (the Senate's) efforts to introduce bipartisan legislation to mitigate the impacts of fentanyl, especially in light of the rising death rate at the hands of fentanyl poisoning. Furthermore, the Senate's plan to help provide law enforcement the tools necessary to properly address organized retail theft is imperative to maintain the health of communities and our retail business partners. We also would like to emphasize to the Senate that a multi-modal approach be taken which includes, but is not limited to: holding offenders accountable to the fullest extent of the law, addressing repeat offenders and providing resources to the business community who are victimized. The Los Angeles County Police Chiefs' Association would like nothing more than to be your partners in this effort.”

 

Chief Kelly M. Vernon, President of the Chief Probation Officers of California and Chief Probation Officer, Tulare County Probation:
“On behalf of the Chief Probation officers of California (CPOC), we write to offer our support of the concepts outlined in the bipartisan legislative package, Working Together for a Safer California, around key policy areas to address the crises around fentanyl and retail theft… We support the Senate’s efforts to protect our community members. As on-the-ground connectors and experts in community safety, we look forward to being a part of the continued discussions with the Senate, Assembly, and Administration to work towards meaningful and comprehensive solutions to the retail theft and fentanyl crises in a way that support successful and safe reentry.”



Matt Heady, Treasurer of the Long Beach Police Officers Association:
“The Long Beach Police Officers Association would like to announce our support for the Senate’s ‘Working Together for a Safer California’ plan. We are honored to partner with you to work towards keeping California and its communities safe.”

 

Anne Irwin, Executive Director of Smart Justice California:

“We commend the Senate and Pro Tem McGuire for tackling California’s overdose crisis with effective approaches that will improve the health and safety of Californians. In the face of both a growing public health crisis and a historic budget deficit, the Senate is doing the smart thing by investing in proven strategies that mitigate fentanyl’s damage to California communities while avoiding the temptation to resurrect failed approaches of the past.”

 

Tinisch Hollins, Executive Director of Californians for Safety and Justice:

“This package represents a thoughtful approach to nuanced challenges. Our top priority is protecting hard won justice reforms that are currently working to keep Californians safe and prioritize taxpayer dollars for approaches that work. However, in an environment where special interests are gas lighting Californians with destructive and ineffective rollbacks, we support Pro Tem McGuire’s smart on crime approach and will work with the Senate to make sure it is effective for everyday people.”

 

Chief Alex Gammelgard, President of the CA Police Chiefs Association:

“While police chiefs remain focused on the enforcement aspects needed to combat the fentanyl crisis, we understand how critical it is to approach the fentanyl epidemic through a holistic lens, which includes building a better healthcare response. The California Senate’s legislative package will improve access to substance abuse treatment and life-saving medicine, build better coordination between public safety and healthcare systems, and help educate the public about the dangers of these deadly substances. These are all critical issues that will have a positive impact and save lives, and we appreciate the Senate for leading this effort.”

 

Brian K. Rice, President, California Professional Firefighters:

 “I applaud the California State Senate for their focus on responding to the fentanyl crisis and retail crime challenges. Retail theft and the fentanyl crisis are impacting quality of life in California and need to be addressed. The California State Senate’s Working Together for A Safer California plan is directly focused on policies to reduce the prevalence of fentanyl in our communities and to stop retail theft. CPF members are in our community every day responding to patients with substance use challenges. While we have worked with the legislature to improve the continuum of care for individuals experiencing substance use challenges, we also need to work to limit access to this drug that has taken so many lives. We look forward to engaging with the Senate as they push forward on solutions that improve public safety and community health throughout California.”

 

Sheriff Robert G. Luna, Los Angeles County: 

“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is proud to work with and support the California State Senate with efforts to address two very important issues affecting our communities. As the Sheriff of Los Angeles County, I support your efforts to protect our community members from the proliferation of fentanyl in our communities. Fentanyl related deaths in Los Angeles County are surging at an alarming rate and we need every tool available to help us combat those selling and trafficking this deadly poison. The Senate’s plan will also give law enforcement additional and precise tools to impact organized retail theft all along the criminal chain, without reversing the essential elements of criminal justice reform that was approved by the majority of Californians. I also encourage any efforts designed to hold repeat offenders accountable as we move forward. I am proud to support this effort that will protect economic opportunity for both large and small businesses.”

 

Diana Becton, Contra Costa County District Attorney:

“Californians want a justice system that works for everyone. We want solutions for both the fentanyl crisis and retail crime issue, both of which are taking a toll on our communities and families. And that’s what this legislative package intends to do – it is aimed at getting thoughtful, careful approaches to fentanyl in place, and also enacting measures that would help deter crime and strengthen our ability to prosecute brazen criminals who are harming businesses and eroding community safety.”

 

Dr. Aimee Moulin, Professor of Emergency Medicine, Sacramento, California: 

“We are seeing unprecedented rises in overdose deaths and a rapidly changing drug supply of unregulated substances that we are struggling to keep up with. We need to tackle this crisis with what’s proven to work. Rapid access to evidence-based treatment is the only way to address the epidemic of substance use and overdose that will have a lasting and meaningful impact on people and our communities. I’m thrilled to see so many of the Senate’s Safer California policies focused on that and know that this will make a difference. It may take time but it’s important to do this right and continue to work together for a Safer California.”

 

Keith Humphreys, Professor of Psychiatry, Stanford University, and Former White House Senior Drug Policy Advisor, Obama Administration:

“This data driven plan reflects the intensive thought and study Senator McGuire and his colleagues have devoted to reducing our state's fentanyl addiction and overdose crisis. I am grateful for the strong leadership of the State Senate for their efforts to save lives. We can’t move fast enough to tackle this crisis and this Plan will deploy resources and make a difference in all corners of the Golden State.”