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Duties of Local Boards & Commissions

From California Welfare & Institution Code 5604.2(a) 
​Items in bold reflect October 2019 CA legislative update.
 
The local mental health board shall do all of the following: 

1. Review and evaluate the community’s public  mental health needs, services, facilities, and special problems in any facility within the county or jurisdiction where mental health evaluations or services are being provided, including, but not limited to, schools, emergency departments, and psychiatric facilities. 
2. Review any county agreements entered into pursuant to Section 5650. The local mental health board may make recommendations to the governing body regarding concerns identified within these agreements. 
3. Advise the governing body and the local mental health director as to any aspect of the local mental health program. Local mental health boards may request assistance from the local patients’ rights advocates when reviewing and advising on mental health evaluations or services provided in public facilities with limited access.
4. Review and approve the procedures used to ensure citizen and professional involvement at all stages of the planning process. Involvement shall include individuals with lived experience of mental illness and their families, community members, advocacy organizations, and mental health professionals. It shall also include other professionals that interact with individuals living with mental illnesses on a daily basis, such as education, emergency services, employment, health care, housing, law enforcement, local business owners, social services, seniors, transportation, and veterans. 
5. Submit an annual report to the governing body on the needs and performance of the county's mental health system.
6. Review and make recommendations on applicants for the appointment of a local director of mental health services. The board shall be included in the selection process prior to the vote of the governing body.
7. Review and comment on the county's performance outcome data and communicate its findings to the California Behavioral Health Planning Council.
8. This part does not limit the ability of the governing body to transfer additional duties or authority to a mental health board.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that, as part of its duties pursuant to subdivision (a), the board shall assess the impact of the realignment of services from the state to the county, on services delivered to clients and on the local community.

In addition, pursuant to W&I Code Section 5848, the local mental health board conducts a public hearing on the county's MHSA Three Year Program and Expenditure Plan and Annual Update.