September 18, 2026The Honorable Gavin Newsom Governor, State of California 1021 O Street, Ste. 9000 Sacramento, CA 95814SB 329 (Blakespear) Alcohol and drug recovery: licensed treatment facilities and certified programs: investigations. (As Amended 08/13/2026)Notice of Request for SignatureDear Governor Newsom, The City of San Clemente writes to request your signature on SB 329 (Blakespear), which would require the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to complete timely investigations into complaints against alcohol and drug treatment facilities and publish an annual report on its website pertaining to the investigations. Residential recovery housing provides a wide range of benefits to some of California’s most vulnerable residents, and it is critical that their needs are prioritized over profits. Compliance with state licensing laws administered through the DHCS is essential to safeguarding residents’ well-being and maintaining quality care. A 2024 state audit on drug and alcohol treatment facilities in California confirmed what cities across California have been saying for years: DHCS does not always promptly or thoroughly investigate complaints. The audit found that it took DHCS, on average, 183 days to assign complaints to staff and an additional year to complete investigations into low- and medium-priority complaints. Delays like these allow serious problems to go unchecked, jeopardizing the health and safety of those receiving care and the broader community. SB 329 would require DHCS to assign complaints to analysts within 10 days and to complete investigations within 120 days unless the department requires additional resources or assistance from other state agencies. SB 329 also requires DHCS to post annual reports on its website detailing the total number of investigations, the types of investigations, and the number that failed to meet the 120-day deadline. While existing law requires DHCS to investigate complaints against licensed alcohol and drug treatment facilities, it does not establish timelines for completing those investigations. SB 329 sets clear, reasonable deadlines to enhance public transparency and ensure providers are held accountable for delivering high-quality treatment and care. The City of San Clemente has an interest in ensuring that treatment facilities serving our community provide safe, responsible, and high-quality care. When serious concerns are raised, lengthy delays in investigation may allow unsafe or inappropriate practices to continue and potentially affect additional residents, families, and the broader community. Timely and consistent State oversight helps protect vulnerable individuals, supports responsible treatment providers, and reduces the risk that unresolved problems will create broader impacts on neighborhoods and local services. SB 329 would strengthen that accountability by establishing clear investigation timelines and greater transparency.For these reasons, the City of San Clemente is pleased to support SB 329 (Blakespear) and respectfully requests your signature on the measure.Respectfully,Rick Loeffler, MayorSeptember 18, 2026The Honorable Gavin Newsom Governor, State of California 1021 O Street, Ste. 9000 Sacramento, CA 95814SB 329 (Blakespear) Alcohol and drug recovery: licensed treatment facilities and certified programs: investigations. (As Amended 08/13/2026)Notice of Request for SignatureDear Governor Newsom, The City of San Clemente writes to request your signature on SB 329 (Blakespear), which would require the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to complete timely investigations into complaints against alcohol and drug treatment facilities and publish an annual report on its website pertaining to the investigations. Residential recovery housing provides a wide range of benefits to some of California’s most vulnerable residents, and it is critical that their needs are prioritized over profits. Compliance with state licensing laws administered through the DHCS is essential to safeguarding residents’ well-being and maintaining quality care. A 2024 state audit on drug and alcohol treatment facilities in California confirmed what cities across California have been saying for years: DHCS does not always promptly or thoroughly investigate complaints. The audit found that it took DHCS, on average, 183 days to assign complaints to staff and an additional year to complete investigations into low- and medium-priority complaints. Delays like these allow serious problems to go unchecked, jeopardizing the health and safety of those receiving care and the broader community. SB 329 would require DHCS to assign complaints to analysts within 10 days and to complete investigations within 120 days unless the department requires additional resources or assistance from other state agencies. SB 329 also requires DHCS to post annual reports on its website detailing the total number of investigations, the types of investigations, and the number that failed to meet the 120-day deadline. While existing law requires DHCS to investigate complaints against licensed alcohol and drug treatment facilities, it does not establish timelines for completing those investigations. SB 329 sets clear, reasonable deadlines to enhance public transparency and ensure providers are held accountable for delivering high-quality treatment and care. The City of San Clemente has an interest in ensuring that treatment facilities serving our community provide safe, responsible, and high-quality care. When serious concerns are raised, lengthy delays in investigation may allow unsafe or inappropriate practices to continue and potentially affect additional residents, families, and the broader community. Timely and consistent State oversight helps protect vulnerable individuals, supports responsible treatment providers, and reduces the risk that unresolved problems will create broader impacts on neighborhoods and local services. SB 329 would strengthen that accountability by establishing clear investigation timelines and greater transparency.For these reasons, the City of San Clemente is pleased to support SB 329 (Blakespear) and respectfully requests your signature on the measure.Respectfully,Rick Loeffler, MayorCelebrating 90 Years of IncorporationCelebrating 90 Years of IncorporationOffice of the Mayor and City CouncilRick LoefflerMayorSteve KnoblockMayor Pro TemVictor CabralMark EnmeierZhen WuCity ManagerAndy Hall910 Calle NegocioSan Clemente, CA 92673Phone: (949) 361-8200“The Spanish Village by the Sea”Office of the Mayor
and City CouncilRick LoefflerMayorSteve KnoblockMayor Pro TemVictor CabralMark EnmeierZhen WuCity ManagerAndy Hall910 Calle NegocioSan Clemente, CA 92673Phone: (949) 361-8200“The Spanish Village by the Sea”
September 18, 2026
The Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor, State of California
1021 O Street, Ste. 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
SB 329 (Blakespear) Alcohol and drug recovery: licensed treatment facilities and certified programs: investigations. (As Amended 08/13/2026) Notice of Request for Signature
Dear Governor Newsom,
The City of San Clemente writes to request your signature on SB 329 (Blakespear), which would require the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to complete timely investigations into complaints against alcohol and drug treatment facilities and publish an annual report on its website pertaining to the investigations.
Residential recovery housing provides a wide range of benefits to some of California’s most vulnerable residents, and it is critical that their needs are prioritized over profits. Compliance with state licensing laws administered through the DHCS is essential to safeguarding residents’ well-being and maintaining quality care.
A 2024 state audit on drug and alcohol treatment facilities in California confirmed what cities across California have been saying for years: DHCS does not always promptly or thoroughly investigate complaints. The audit found that it took DHCS, on average, 183 days to assign complaints to staff and an additional year to complete investigations into low- and medium-priority complaints. Delays like these allow serious problems to go unchecked, jeopardizing the health and safety of those receiving care and the broader community.
SB 329 would require DHCS to assign complaints to analysts within 10 days and to complete investigations within 120 days unless the department requires additional resources or assistance from other state agencies. SB 329 also requires DHCS to post annual reports on its website detailing the total number of investigations, the types of investigations, and the number that failed to meet the 120-day deadline.
While existing law requires DHCS to investigate complaints against licensed alcohol and drug treatment facilities, it does not establish timelines for completing those investigations. SB 329 sets clear, reasonable deadlines to enhance public transparency and ensure providers are held accountable for delivering high-quality treatment and care.
The City of San Clemente has an interest in ensuring that treatment facilities serving our community provide safe, responsible, and high-quality care. When serious concerns are raised, lengthy delays in investigation may allow unsafe or inappropriate practices to continue and potentially affect additional residents, families, and the broader community. Timely and consistent State oversight helps protect vulnerable individuals, supports responsible treatment providers, and reduces the risk that unresolved problems will create broader impacts on neighborhoods and local services. SB 329 would strengthen that accountability by establishing clear investigation timelines and greater transparency.
For these reasons, the City of San Clemente is pleased to support SB 329 (Blakespear) and respectfully requests your signature on the measure.
Respectfully,
Rick Loeffler, Mayor
September 18, 2026
The Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor, State of California
1021 O Street, Ste. 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
SB 329 (Blakespear) Alcohol and drug recovery: licensed treatment facilities and certified programs: investigations. (As Amended 08/13/2026) Notice of Request for Signature
Dear Governor Newsom,
The City of San Clemente writes to request your signature on SB 329 (Blakespear), which would require the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to complete timely investigations into complaints against alcohol and drug treatment facilities and publish an annual report on its website pertaining to the investigations.
Residential recovery housing provides a wide range of benefits to some of California’s most vulnerable residents, and it is critical that their needs are prioritized over profits. Compliance with state licensing laws administered through the DHCS is essential to safeguarding residents’ well-being and maintaining quality care.
A 2024 state audit on drug and alcohol treatment facilities in California confirmed what cities across California have been saying for years: DHCS does not always promptly or thoroughly investigate complaints. The audit found that it took DHCS, on average, 183 days to assign complaints to staff and an additional year to complete investigations into low- and medium-priority complaints. Delays like these allow serious problems to go unchecked, jeopardizing the health and safety of those receiving care and the broader community.
SB 329 would require DHCS to assign complaints to analysts within 10 days and to complete investigations within 120 days unless the department requires additional resources or assistance from other state agencies. SB 329 also requires DHCS to post annual reports on its website detailing the total number of investigations, the types of investigations, and the number that failed to meet the 120-day deadline.
While existing law requires DHCS to investigate complaints against licensed alcohol and drug treatment facilities, it does not establish timelines for completing those investigations. SB 329 sets clear, reasonable deadlines to enhance public transparency and ensure providers are held accountable for delivering high-quality treatment and care.
The City of San Clemente has an interest in ensuring that treatment facilities serving our community provide safe, responsible, and high-quality care. When serious concerns are raised, lengthy delays in investigation may allow unsafe or inappropriate practices to continue and potentially affect additional residents, families, and the broader community. Timely and consistent State oversight helps protect vulnerable individuals, supports responsible treatment providers, and reduces the risk that unresolved problems will create broader impacts on neighborhoods and local services. SB 329 would strengthen that accountability by establishing clear investigation timelines and greater transparency.
For these reasons, the City of San Clemente is pleased to support SB 329 (Blakespear) and respectfully requests your signature on the measure.
Respectfully,
Rick Loeffler, Mayor
Celebrating 90 Years of Incorporation
Celebrating 90 Years of Incorporation
Office of the Mayor
and City Council
Rick Loeffler
Mayor
Steve Knoblock
Mayor Pro Tem
Victor Cabral
Mark Enmeier
Zhen Wu
City Manager
Andy Hall
910 Calle Negocio
San Clemente, CA 92673
Phone: (949) 361-8200
“The Spanish Village
by the Sea”
Office of the Mayor
and City Council
Rick Loeffler
Mayor
Steve Knoblock
Mayor Pro Tem
Victor Cabral
Mark Enmeier
Zhen Wu
City Manager
Andy Hall
910 Calle Negocio
San Clemente, CA 92673
Phone: (949) 361-8200
“The Spanish Village
by the Sea”
_______________________________
Kathleen Ward
Mayor, City of San Clemente
City Hall ● 910 Calle Negocio, San Clemente CA 92673 ● (949) 361-8200 ● www.san-clemente.org Attachment 3