Legislation

The Behavioral Health Services Act BHSA, The Behavioral Health Services Act (approved by CA voters in 2024) replaces the Mental Health Services Act of 2004. It reforms behavioral health care funding to prioritize services for people of all ages with the most significant mental health needs while adding the treatment of substance use disorders (SUD), expanding housing interventions, and increasing the behavioral health workforce. It also enhances oversight, transparency, and accountability at the state and local levels.  

The Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), (Proposition 63), CA Department of Health Care Services Website.  In 2004, with the passage of Proposition 63, a 1% income tax was imposed on personal income in excess of $1 million, with much of the funding designated for county mental health programs.  

Laura's Law, AB 1421
Laura's Law - CALBHB/C Web Page

Link to Wikipedia - A California Law that allows for court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment.  ...read more.

Meeting Minutes/Presentations re: Laura's Law  (San Bernardino County)

5150 (Involuntary Psychiatric Hold), California Legislative Information Website: (a) When a person, as a result of a mental health disorder, is a danger to others, or to himself or herself, or gravely disabled, a peace officer, professional person in charge of a facility designated by the county for evaluation and treatment, member of the attending staff, as defined by regulation, of a facility designated by the county for evaluation and treatment, designated members of a mobile crisis team, or professional person designated by the county may, upon probable cause, take, or cause to be taken, the person into custody for a period of up to 72 hours for assessment, evaluation, and crisis intervention, or placement for evaluation and treatment in a facility designated by the county for evaluation and treatment and approved by the State Department of Health Care Services. At a minimum, assessment, as defined in Section 5150.4, and evaluation, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 5008, shall be conducted and provided on an ongoing basis. Crisis intervention, as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 5008, may be provided concurrently with assessment, evaluation, or any other service.

The 21st Century Cures Act This bipartisan effort for public health and medical research directs $6 Billion to address mental health challenges in the criminal justice system and other behavioral health and physical health priorities. Click for Behavioral Health Provisions Summary.