(

a) A mental health rehabilitation center may admit clients diagnosed only with a severe substance use disorder, as defined in subdivision (

o) of

Section 5008, under the following conditions:

(1) The mental health rehabilitation center obtains and maintains at least one level of care designation from the State Department of Health Care Services or at least one level of care certification from the American Society of Addiction Medicine consistent with all program services it offers for the treatment of severe substance use disorder.

(2) The State Department of Health Care Services approves the mental health rehabilitation center’s policies and procedures for providing substance use disorder services.

(3) The mental health rehabilitation center admits these clients involuntarily pursuant to

Part 1 (commencing with

Section 5000).

(4) The mental health rehabilitation center either offers medications for addiction treatment (MAT) or has an effective referral process in place with narcotic treatment programs, community health centers, or other MAT providers. An effective referral process shall include an established relationship with a MAT provider and transportation to appointments for MAT.

(5) The mental health rehabilitation center implements and maintains a MAT policy approved by the State Department of Health Care Services. The MAT policy shall do all of the following: (

A) Explain how a client receives information about the benefits and risks of MAT. (

B) Describe the availability of MAT at the program, if applicable, or the referral process for MAT. (

C) Identify an evidence-based assessment for determining a client’s MAT needs. (

D) Address administration, storage, and disposal of MAT, if applicable. (

E) Outline training for staff about the benefits and risks of MAT. (

F) Outline training for staff on the MAT policy. (

b) Notwithstanding

Chapter 3.5 (commencing with

Section 11340) of Part of Division of Title of the Government Code, the department may implement, interpret, or make specific this section, in whole or in part, by means of plan or county letters, information notices, plan or provider bulletins, or other similar instructions, until the time regulations are adopted no later than December 31, 2027.