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Senator Thomas Umberg (D-Orange County) introduced The California Ethical Treatment of Persons with Addiction Act, (Senate Bill 349) a critical and timely new law to protect California’s most vulnerable patients, those seeking treatment for substance use disorders, from predatory practices.
Senator Umberg shared that 7,121 Californians tragically died of drug overdoses (79,251 nationally) in the 12-month period ending in May 2020. This is part of a skyrocketing rise, with overdose deaths in California up 26.8% in the period between June 2019 and June 2020. Nationally, in that same time frame, deaths were up 21.3%. These numbers are expected to continue to rise as social isolation and limited access to treatment are aggravated by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Senator Tom Umberg (D – Orange County) was named Chair of the California State Senate Judiciary Committee by State Senate Pro Tem Toni Atkins. Senator Umberg has served as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee since 2018. Prior to being appointed as Chair of Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Umberg chaired the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee.
“I am honored by Senate President Pro Tem Atkins’ confidence in appointing me Judiciary Chair,” said Senator Umberg. “The pandemic and the increasing costs of litigation have made access to justice more challenging. In leading the Judiciary Committee, I plan to work diligently with the committee members to consider thoughtful policy and meet the pandemic crisis head-on. I will pursue California’s interests with the same determination towards justice I have demonstrated throughout my career.”