Bill Text: CA AB134 | 2021-2022 | Regular Session | Amended
NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Mental Health Services Act: county program and expenditure plans.
Spectrum: Committee Bill
Status: (Passed) 2021-07-16 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 75, Statutes of 2021. [AB134 Detail]
Download: California-2021-AB134-Amended.html
MAJORITY2/3
Appropriation:
NOYES
Fiscal Committee:
NOYES
Local Program:
NO
SECTION 1.
Bill Title: Mental Health Services Act: county program and expenditure plans.
Spectrum: Committee Bill
Status: (Passed) 2021-07-16 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 75, Statutes of 2021. [AB134 Detail]
Download: California-2021-AB134-Amended.html
|
Amended
IN
Senate
June 27, 2021 |
|
Amended
IN
Assembly
February 18, 2021 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 134
| Introduced by Committee on Budget (Assembly Members Ting (Chair), Arambula, Bennett, Bloom, Carrillo, Chiu, Cooper, Frazier, Friedman, Cristina Garcia, Jones-Sawyer, Lee, McCarty, Medina, Mullin, Nazarian, O’Donnell, Ramos, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Blanca Rubio, Stone, and Wood) |
January 08, 2021 |
An act relating to the Budget Act of 2021. to amend Sections 5847 and 5892 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to mental health, and making an appropriation therefor, to take effect immediately, bill related to the budget.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 134, as amended, Committee on Budget.
Budget Act of 2021. Mental Health Services Act: county program and expenditure plans.
Existing law, the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), an initiative measure enacted by the voters as Proposition 63 at the November 2, 2004, statewide general election, establishes the Mental Health Services Fund (MHSF), a continuously appropriated fund, to fund various county mental health programs, including children’s mental health care, adult and older adult mental health care, and prevention and early intervention programs. The MHSA established the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission and requires the counties to prepare and submit a 3-year program and expenditure plan, and annual updates, as specified, to the commission and the department. Existing law authorizes a county that is unable to complete and submit a 3-year plan or annual update for the 2020–21 fiscal year due to
the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency to extend the effective timeframe of its currently approved 3-year plan or annual update to include the 2020–21 fiscal year and requires the county to submit a 3-year program and expenditure plan or annual update to the commission and the department by July 1, 2021.
This bill would additionally authorize a county that is unable to complete and submit a 3-year plan or annual update for the 2021–22 fiscal year due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency to extend the effective timeframe of its currently approved 3-year plan or annual update to include the 2021–22 fiscal year and would require the county to submit a 3-year program and expenditure plan or annual update to the commission and the department by July 1, 2022.
Existing law authorizes the State Department of Health Care Services to allow counties to determine the percentage of funds to allocate across programs for children and
adults and older adults for the 2020–21 fiscal year by means of all-county letters or other similar instructions without taking further regulatory action.
This bill would extend that authorization to the 2021–22 fiscal year.
Existing law establishes the Federal Trust Fund within the State Treasury, which consists of money paid into it in trust from the United States.
This bill would make an appropriation by appropriating $186,973,000 from the Federal Trust Fund to the State Department of Health Care Services to support community mental health services.
Existing law authorizes the MHSA to be amended by a
2/3 vote of each house of the Legislature if the amendments are consistent with, and further the intent of, the MHSA. Existing law authorizes the Legislature to add provisions to the act to clarify procedures and terms of the act by majority vote.
This bill would state the finding of the Legislature that the changes made are consistent with, and further the purposes of, the MHSA.
This bill would state that its provisions are severable.
This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as a bill providing for appropriations related to the Budget Bill.
This bill would express the intent of the Legislature to enact statutory changes, relating to the Budget Act of 2021.
Digest Key
Vote:Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 5847 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:5847.
Integrated Plans for Prevention, Innovation, and System of Care Services.(a) Each county mental health program shall prepare and submit a three-year program and expenditure plan, and annual updates, adopted by the county board of supervisors, to the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission and the State Department of Health Care Services within 30 days after adoption.
(b) The three-year program and expenditure plan shall be based on available unspent funds and estimated revenue allocations provided by the state and in accordance with established stakeholder engagement and planning requirements, as required in Section 5848. The three-year program and expenditure plan and annual updates shall include
all of the following:
(1) A program for prevention and early intervention in accordance with Part 3.6 (commencing with Section 5840).
(2) A program for services to children in accordance with Part 4 (commencing with Section 5850), to include a program pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 18250) of Part 6 of Division 9 or provide substantial evidence that it is not feasible to establish a wraparound program in that county.
(3) A program for services to adults and seniors in accordance with Part 3 (commencing with Section 5800).
(4) A program for innovations in accordance with Part 3.2 (commencing with Section 5830).
(5) A program for technological needs and capital facilities
needed to provide services pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 5800), Part 3.6 (commencing with Section 5840), and Part 4 (commencing with Section 5850). All plans for proposed facilities with restrictive settings shall demonstrate that the needs of the people to be served cannot be met in a less restrictive or more integrated setting, such as permanent supportive housing.
(6) Identification of shortages in personnel to provide services pursuant to the above programs and the additional assistance needed from the education and training programs established pursuant to Part 3.1 (commencing with Section 5820).
(7) Establishment and maintenance of a prudent reserve to ensure the county program will continue to be able to serve children, adults, and seniors that it is currently serving pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 5800), the Adult and Older Adult Mental Health
System of Care Act, Part 3.6 (commencing with Section 5840), Prevention and Early Intervention Programs, and Part 4 (commencing with Section 5850), the Children’s Mental Health Services Act, during years in which revenues for the Mental Health Services Fund are below recent averages adjusted by changes in the state population and the California Consumer Price Index.
(8) Certification by the county behavioral health director, which ensures that the county has complied with all pertinent regulations, laws, and statutes of the Mental Health Services Act, including stakeholder participation and nonsupplantation requirements.
(9) Certification by the county behavioral health director and by the county auditor-controller that the county has complied with any fiscal accountability requirements as directed by the State Department of Health Care Services, and that all expenditures are
consistent with the requirements of the Mental Health Services Act.
(c) The programs established pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision (b) shall include services to address the needs of transition age youth 16 to 25 years of age. In implementing this subdivision, county mental health programs shall consider the needs of transition age foster youth.
(d) Each year, the State Department of Health Care Services shall inform the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California and the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission of the methodology used for revenue allocation to the counties.
(e) Each county mental health program shall prepare expenditure plans pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 5800) for adults and seniors, Part 3.2 (commencing with Section 5830) for
innovative programs, Part 3.6 (commencing with Section 5840) for prevention and early intervention programs, and Part 4 (commencing with Section 5850) for services for children, and updates to the plans developed pursuant to this section. Each expenditure update shall indicate the number of children, adults, and seniors to be served pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 5800), and Part 4 (commencing with Section 5850), and the cost per person. The expenditure update shall include utilization of unspent funds allocated in the previous year and the proposed expenditure for the same purpose.
(f) A county mental health program shall include an allocation of funds from a reserve established pursuant to paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) for services pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision (b) in years in which the allocation of funds for services pursuant to subdivision (e) are not adequate to continue to serve the same number of
individuals as the county had been serving in the previous fiscal year.
(g) The department shall post on its internet website the three-year program and expenditure plans submitted by every county pursuant to subdivision (a) in a timely manner.
(h) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a county that is unable to complete and submit a three-year program and expenditure plan or annual update for the 2020–21
or 2021–22 fiscal year years due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency may extend the effective timeframe of its currently approved three-year plan or annual update to include the 2020–21 and 2021–22 fiscal year. A years. The county shall submit a three-year program and expenditure plan or annual update to the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission and the State Department of Health Care Services by July 1, 2021.
2022.
(2) For purposes of this subdivision, “COVID-19 Public Health Emergency” means the federal Public Health Emergency declaration made pursuant to Section 247d of Title 42 of the United States Code on January 30, 2020, entitled “Determination that a Public Health Emergency Exists Nationwide as the Result of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus,” and any renewal of that declaration.
(i) Notwithstanding paragraph (7) of subdivision (b) and subdivision (f), a county may, during the 2020–21 and 2021–22 fiscal year,
years, use funds from its prudent reserve for prevention and early intervention programs created in accordance with Part 3.6 (commencing with Section 5840) and for services to persons with severe mental illnesses pursuant to Part 4 (commencing with Section 5850) for the children’s system of care and Part 3 (commencing with Section 5800) for the adult and older adult system of care. These services may include housing assistance, as defined in Section 5892.5, to the target population specified in Section 5600.3.
(j) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department, without taking any further regulatory action, may implement, interpret, or make specific subdivisions (h) and (i) of this section and subdivision (i) of Section 5892 by means of all-county letters or other similar
instructions.
SEC. 2.
Section 5892 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:5892.
(a) In order to promote efficient implementation of this act, the county shall use funds distributed from the Mental Health Services Fund as follows:(1) In the 2005–06, 2006–07, and 2007–08 fiscal years, 10 percent shall be placed in a trust fund to be expended for education and training programs pursuant to Part 3.1 (commencing with Section 5820).
(2) In the 2005–06, 2006–07, and 2007–08 fiscal years, 10 percent for capital facilities and technological needs shall be distributed to counties in accordance with a formula developed in consultation with the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California to implement plans developed pursuant to Section 5847.
(3) Twenty percent of funds distributed to the counties pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 5891 shall be used for prevention and early intervention programs in accordance with Part 3.6 (commencing with Section 5840).
(4) The expenditure for prevention and early intervention may be increased in any county in which the department determines that the increase will decrease the need and cost for additional services to persons with severe mental illness in that county by an amount at least commensurate with the proposed increase.
(5) The balance of funds shall be distributed to county mental health programs for services to persons with severe mental illnesses pursuant to Part 4 (commencing with Section 5850) for the children’s system of care and Part 3 (commencing with Section 5800) for the adult and older adult system
of care. These services may include housing assistance, as defined in Section 5892.5, to the target population specified in Section 5600.3.
(6) Five percent of the total funding for each county mental health program for Part 3 (commencing with Section 5800), Part 3.6 (commencing with Section 5840), and Part 4 (commencing with Section 5850), shall be utilized for innovative programs in accordance with Sections 5830, 5847, and 5848.
(b) (1) In any fiscal year after the 2007–08 fiscal year, programs for services pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 5800) and Part 4 (commencing with Section 5850) may include funds for technological needs and capital facilities, human resource needs, and a prudent reserve to ensure services do not have to be significantly reduced in years in which revenues are below the average of previous years. The total allocation for
purposes authorized by this subdivision shall not exceed 20 percent of the average amount of funds allocated to that county for the previous five fiscal years pursuant to this section.
(2) A county shall calculate an amount it establishes as the prudent reserve for its Local Mental Health Services Fund, not to exceed 33 percent of the average community services and support revenue received for the fund in the preceding five years. The county shall reassess the maximum amount of this reserve every five years and certify the reassessment as part of the three-year program and expenditure plan required pursuant to Section 5847.
(3) Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the State Department of Health Care Services may allow counties to determine the percentage of funds to allocate across programs created
pursuant to Part 4 (commencing with Section 5850) for the children’s system of care and Part 3 (commencing with Section 5800) for the adult and older adult system of care for the 2020–21 and 2021–22 fiscal year
years by means of all-county letters or other similar instructions without taking further regulatory action.
(c) The allocations pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) shall include funding for annual planning costs pursuant to Section 5848. The total of these costs shall not exceed 5 percent of the total of annual revenues received for the fund. The planning costs shall include funds for county mental health programs to pay for the costs of consumers, family members, and other stakeholders to participate in the planning process and for the planning and implementation required for private provider contracts to be significantly expanded to provide additional services pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 5800) and Part 4 (commencing with Section 5850).
(d) Prior to making the allocations pursuant to subdivisions (a), (b), and (c),
funds shall be reserved for the costs for the State Department of Health Care Services, the California Behavioral Health Planning Council, the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, the State Department of Public Health, and any other state agency to implement all duties pursuant to the programs set forth in this section. These costs shall not exceed 5 percent of the total of annual revenues received for the fund. The administrative costs shall include funds to assist consumers and family members to ensure the appropriate state and county agencies give full consideration to concerns about quality, structure of service delivery, or access to services. The amounts allocated for administration shall include amounts sufficient to ensure adequate research and evaluation regarding the effectiveness of services being provided and achievement of the outcome measures set forth in Part 3 (commencing with Section 5800), Part 3.6
(commencing with Section 5840), and Part 4 (commencing with Section 5850). The amount of funds available for the purposes of this subdivision in any fiscal year is subject to appropriation in the annual Budget Act.
(e) In the 2004–05 fiscal year, funds shall be allocated as follows:
(1) Forty-five percent for education and training pursuant to Part 3.1 (commencing with Section 5820).
(2) Forty-five percent for capital facilities and technology needs in the manner specified by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a).
(3) Five percent for local planning in the manner specified in subdivision (c).
(4) Five percent for state implementation in the manner specified in subdivision (d).
(f) Each county shall place all funds received from the State Mental Health Services Fund in a local Mental Health Services Fund. The Local Mental Health Services Fund balance shall be invested consistent with other county funds and the interest earned on the investments shall be transferred into the fund. The earnings on investment of these funds shall be available for distribution from the fund in future fiscal years.
(g) All expenditures for county mental health programs shall be consistent with a currently approved plan or update pursuant to Section 5847.
(h) (1) Other than funds placed in a reserve in accordance with an approved plan, any funds allocated to a county that have not been spent for their authorized purpose within three years, and the interest accruing on those funds, shall revert
to the state to be deposited into the Reversion Account, hereby established in the fund, and available for other counties in future years, provided, however, that funds, including interest accrued on those funds, for capital facilities, technological needs, or education and training may be retained for up to 10 years before reverting to the Reversion Account.
(2) (A) If a county receives approval from the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission of a plan for innovative programs, pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 5830, the county’s funds identified in that plan for innovative programs shall not revert to the state pursuant to paragraph (1) so long as they are encumbered under the terms of the approved project plan, including any subsequent amendments approved by the commission, or until three years after the date of approval, whichever is later.
(B) Subparagraph (A) applies to all plans for innovative programs that have received commission approval and are in the process at the time of enactment of the act that added this subparagraph, and to all plans that receive commission approval thereafter.
(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), funds allocated to a county with a population of less than 200,000 that have not been spent for their authorized purpose within five years shall revert to the state as described in paragraph (1).
(4) (A) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), if a county with a population of less than 200,000 receives approval from the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission of a plan for innovative programs, pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 5830, the county’s funds identified in that plan for innovative programs shall not revert to the state
pursuant to paragraph (1) so long as they are encumbered under the terms of the approved project plan, including any subsequent amendments approved by the commission, or until five years after the date of approval, whichever is later.
(B) Subparagraph (A) applies to all plans for innovative programs that have received commission approval and are in the process at the time of enactment of the act that added this subparagraph, and to all plans that receive commission approval thereafter.
(i) Notwithstanding subdivision (h) and Section 5892.1, unspent funds allocated to a county, and interest accruing on those funds, which are subject to reversion as of July 1, 2019, and July 1, 2020, shall be subject to reversion on July 1, 2021.
(j) If there are revenues available in the fund after the Mental Health Services Oversight
and Accountability Commission has determined there are prudent reserves and no unmet needs for any of the programs funded pursuant to this section, including all purposes of the Prevention and Early Intervention Program, the commission shall develop a plan for expenditures of these revenues to further the purposes of this act and the Legislature may appropriate these funds for any purpose consistent with the commission’s adopted plan that furthers the purposes of this act.
SEC. 3.
The provisions of this measure are severable. If any provision of this measure or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.SEC. 4.
There is hereby appropriated, for the 2021–22 fiscal year, one hundred eighty-six million nine hundred seventy-three thousand dollars ($186,973,000) from the Federal Trust Fund to the State Department of Health Care Services to support community mental health services.SEC. 5.
The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the amendments made by this measure to Sections 5847 and 5892 of the Welfare and Institutions Code are consistent with and further the intent of the Mental Health Services Act.SEC. 6.
This act is a bill providing for appropriations related to the Budget Bill within the meaning of subdivision (e) of Section 12 of Article IV of the California Constitution, has been identified as related to the budget in the Budget Bill, and shall take effect immediately.It is the intent of the Legislature to enact statutory changes, relating to the Budget Act of 2021.
