Section 4369.2.

(a) The office shall develop a problem gambling prevention program, which shall be the first priority for funding appropriated to this office. The prevention program shall be based upon the allocation priorities established by the department and subject to funding being appropriated for the purpose of this subdivision, and shall consist of all of the following:

(1) A toll-free telephone service for immediate crisis management and containment with subsequent referral of problem and pathological gamblers to health providers who can provide treatment for gambling related problems and to self-help groups.

(2) Public awareness campaigns that focus on prevention and education among the general public including, for example, dissemination of youth oriented preventive literature, educational experiences, and public service announcements in the media.

(3) Empirically driven research programs focusing on epidemiology/prevalence, etiology/causation, and best practices in prevention and treatment.

(4) Training of health care professionals and educators, and training for law enforcement agencies and nonprofit organizations in the identification of problem gambling behavior and knowledge of referral services and treatment programs.

(5) Training of gambling industry personnel in identifying customers at risk for problem and pathological gambling and knowledge of referral and treatment services.

(b) The office shall develop a program to support treatment services for California residents with problem and pathological gambling issues. The program shall be based upon the allocation priorities established by the department and subject to funding being appropriated for the purposes of this subdivision. These priorities shall also be based on the best available existing state programs as well as on continuing research into best practices and on the needs of California. The treatment program shall consist of all of the following components:

(1) Treatment services for problem and pathological gamblers and directly involved family members. These treatment services will be created through partnerships with established health facilities that can provide treatment for gambling related problems, substance abuse facilities, and providers. State funded treatment may include, but is not limited to, the following: self-administered, home-based educational programs; outpatient treatment; residential treatment; and inpatient treatment when medically necessary.

(2) A funding allocation methodology that ensures treatment services are delivered efficiently and effectively to areas of the state most in need.

(3) Appropriate review and monitoring of treatment programs by the director of the office or a designated institution, including grant oversight and monitoring, standards for treatment, and outcome monitoring.

(4) Treatment efforts shall provide services that are relevant to the needs of a diverse multicultural population with attention to groups with unique needs, including female gamblers, underserved ethnic groups, the elderly, and the physically challenged.

(c) The office shall make information available as requested by the Governor and the Legislature with respect to the comprehensive program.

(Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 210, Sec. 5. Effective August 11, 2003.)