Bill Text: CA SB326 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Chaptered

California Senate Bill 326

Bill Title: The Behavioral Health Services Act.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-10-12 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 790, Statutes of 2023. [SB326 Detail]

Download: California-2023-SB326-Chaptered.html

Senate Bill No. 326

CHAPTER 790

An act to amend, repeal, and add Section 99277 of the Education Code, to amend, repeal, and add Section 131315 of the Health and Safety Code, to amend, repeal, and add Section 19602.5 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, to amend, repeal, and add Section 1095.5 of the Unemployment Insurance Code, and to amend Sections 4090, 4094, 4096.5, 5675, and 5813.6 of, to amend and repeal Sections 5840.5, 5840.8, 5846, 5847, 5848, 5878.2, 5895, and 5899 of, to amend, repeal, and add Sections 5604, 5604.1, 5604.2, 5604.3, 5604.5, 5610, 5613, 5614, 5664, 5771.1, 5805, 5806, 5813.5, 5830, 5835, 5835.2, 5840, 5840.6, 5840.7, 5845, 5845.5, 5848.5, 5849.1, 5849.2, 5849.3, 5852.5, 5868, 5878.1, 5878.3, 5881, 5886, 5890, 5891, 5891.5, 5892, 5892.1, 5892.5, 5893, 5897, 5898, 14197.7, and 14707.5 of, to add Sections 5831, 5845.1, and 14197.71 to, to add Part 4.1 (commencing with Section 5887) to Division 5 of, to add Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 5963) to Part 7 of Division 5 of, to add and repeal Section 5892.3, and to repeal Section 5963.06 of, the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to behavioral health, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect immediately.

[ Approved by Governor October 12, 2023. Filed with Secretary of State October 12, 2023. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SB 326, Eggman. The Behavioral Health Services Act.

(1) 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, funds a system of county mental health plans for the provision of mental health services. Existing law authorizes the MHSA to be amended by a ²/₃ vote 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 clarify procedures and terms of the MHSA by majority vote.

If approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election, this bill would recast the MHSA by, among other things, renaming it the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), expanding it to include treatment of substance use disorders, changing the county planning process, and expanding services for which counties and the state can use funds. The bill would revise the distribution of MHSA moneys, including allocating up to $36,000,000 to the department for behavioral health workforce funding. The bill would authorize the department to require a county to implement specific evidence-based practices.

This bill would require a county, for behavioral health services eligible for reimbursement pursuant to the federal Social Security Act, to submit the claims for reimbursement to the State Department of Health Care Services (the department) under specific circumstances. The bill would require counties to pursue reimbursement through various channels and would authorize the counties to report issues with managed care plans and insurers to the Department of Managed Health Care or the Department of Insurance.

The MHSA establishes the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission and requires it to adopt regulations for programs and expenditures for innovative programs and prevention and early intervention programs established by the act. Existing law requires counties to develop plans for innovative programs funded under the MHSA.

This bill would rename the commission the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission and would change the composition and duties of the commission, as specified. The bill would delete the provisions relating to innovative programs and instead would require the counties to establish and administer a program to provide housing interventions. The bill would provide that “low rent housing project,” as defined, does not apply to a project that meets specified criteria.

This bill would make extensive technical and conforming changes.

(2) Existing law, the Bronzan-McCorquodale Act, contains provisions governing the operation and financing of community mental health services for persons with mental disorders in every county through locally administered and locally controlled community mental health programs. Existing law further provides that, to the extent resources are available, community mental health services should be organized to provide an array of treatment options in specified areas, including, among others, case management and individual service plans. Under existing law, mental health services are provided through contracts with county mental health programs.

The bill would authorize the State Department of Health Care Services to develop and revise documentation standards for individual service plans, as specified. The bill would revise the contracting process, including authorizing the department to temporarily withhold funds or impose monetary sanctions on a county behavioral health department that is not in compliance with the contract.

(3) The bill would provide that its provisions are severable.

(4) The bill would provide for the submission of specified sections of this bill and AB 531 to the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election, as specified.

(5) This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.

Vote: 2/3 Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

The people of the State of California hereby find and declare all of the following:

(a) One in 20 adults in California is living with a serious mental illness (SMI). One in 13 children in California has a serious emotional disturbance (SED) and 30 percent of youth 12 to 24 years of age experience serious psychological distress.

(b) One in 10 Californians meet the criteria for a substance use disorder.

(c) The number of amphetamine-related emergency department (ED) visits increased nearly 50 percent between 2018 and 2020, while the number of non-heroin-related opioid ED visits, including fentanyl ED visits, more than doubled in the same period. Data shows a 121% increase in opioid deaths between 2019 and 2021.

(d) Nationally, suicide rates among youth between 10 and 18 years of age have increased. Hospitals have reported a significant increase in the number of adolescents seeking psychiatric treatment in emergency departments.

(e) Veterans have a higher rate of suicide than the general population and experience higher rates of mental illness or substance abuse disorder. In 2020, there were over 10,000 Californian veterans experiencing homelessness.

(f) Recent research from the University of California, San Francisco found that the majority of homeless Californians (82%) reported a period in their life where they experienced a serious mental health condition. More than one quarter (27%) had been hospitalized for a mental health condition. Nearly two-thirds (65%) reported having had a period in their life in which they regularly used illicit drugs.

(g) California’s behavioral health care system must serve the state’s diversity of people, families, and communities and reduce gaps in access and outcomes for all—including gaps due to geography, age, gender, race, ethnicity, or other factors identified by data.

(h) Research shows that incarcerating the mentally ill is counterproductive to rehabilitation and long-term public safety due to recidivism. It costs $100,000 per person to incarcerate an estimated 150,000 people who are mentally ill; treatment provides far better outcomes at far less cost.

(i) The limited availability of community-based care facilities to support rehabilitation and recovery contributes to the growing crisis of homelessness and incarceration among those living with a mental health disorder. Research indicates that the state has a shortage of over 2,700 subacute and nearly 3,000 community residential beds. This shortage leads to huge increases in emergency department visits for mental health treatment at a very high cost.

SEC. 2.

The purposes and intent in enacting this act are as follows:

(a) In 2004, California voters passed Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) to expand mental health support and services in California communities.

(b) The time has come to modernize the MHSA to focus funds where they are most needed: expanding services to include treatment for those with substance use disorders and prioritizing care for those with the most serious mental illness, including the disproportionate number experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

(c) Reforms will provide guaranteed, ongoing resources for housing for those needing behavioral health services and continuing support for prevention and early intervention. This includes taking a whole person approach that is streamlined and seamless in service delivery, and supports the individual’s recovery and well-being.

(d) Reforms will require strict accountability measures to ensure funds are focused on outcomes for all California families and communities and provide transparency for the public, utilizing all available behavioral health fund sources that local governments have at their disposal. Strong oversight will ensure investments are being made in effective, equitable and high-quality care.

(e) Reforms will provide funding for a robust behavioral health workforce, including thousands of counselors and psychologists. The state will lead efforts to recruit, train, and create pathways to high-quality jobs that can meet the growing and changing behavioral health care needs of Californians.

(f) Reforms will provide ongoing funding to build and sustain the necessary treatment centers and professional workforce to treat people with mental illness to avoid incarceration.

(g) Reforms will include bond funding that is intended to build more than 10,000 new treatment beds and supportive housing. Over 100,000 people per year with behavioral health conditions will get treatment, including those experiencing homelessness, veterans, and youth.

(h) The bond will dedicate funding for veterans experiencing challenges with mental health or substance abuse and homelessness.

(i) Overall, this measure strengthens the continuum of care for all Californians and especially the most vulnerable. It provides substantial state investment, improves statewide accountability, and increases Californians’ access to behavioral health services.

SEC. 3.

Section 99277 of the Education Code is amended to read:

99277.

(a) Upon receiving funding for purposes of this chapter, UCSF, the UC college named in Section 92200, and the UC/CSU California Collaborative on Neurodiversity and Learning shall each appoint one member from the respective institutions. This group shall be charged with the development and oversight of the initiative, and shall function as the institute’s management committee. The management committee shall be permitted, but not obligated, to retain a program director to assist in the implementation of the initiative.

(b) An advisory board, with its title and members to be named by the institute, shall be established to serve as an oversight body for the initiative in order to monitor progress and provide leadership from the perspectives of their respective participating organizations, departments, and divisions, and to facilitate collaboration among researchers, practitioners, administrators, legislators, and community stakeholders. The advisory board shall provide expertise and support to the management committee. The membership of the advisory board shall be constituted as set forth in subdivision (c). The advisory board shall be a check on accountability in order to ensure that the initiative is meeting its goals. The advisory board shall also conduct a fiscal review of the distribution of funds to ensure alignment with the goals of the initiative.

(c) The members of the advisory board shall be representatives from the following institutions, organizations, agencies, and groups:

(1) UCSF.

(2) UC college named in Section 92200.

(3) The UC/CSU California Collaborative for Learning and Neurodiversity.

(4) The Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission.

(5) A Member of the Assembly selected by the Speaker of the Assembly.

(6) A Senator selected by the President pro Tempore of the Senate.

(7) Community representatives, including formerly justice-involved persons and their family members, selected by the Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly, and the President pro Tempore of the Senate.

(d) The advisory board shall meet twice per year, with the potential for additional working group meetings. At each meeting, the advisory board shall participate in a review of reports, including updates on research, practice, and policy efforts, as well as fiscal reporting.

(e) If amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election, this section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2025, and as of that date is repealed.

SEC. 4.

Section 99277 is added to the Education Code, to read:

99277.

(a) Upon receiving funding for purposes of this chapter, UCSF, the UC college named in Section 92200, and the UC/CSU California Collaborative on Neurodiversity and Learning shall each appoint one member from the respective institutions. This group shall be charged with the development and oversight of the initiative and shall function as the institute’s management committee. The management committee shall be permitted, but not obligated, to retain a program director to assist in the implementation of the initiative.

(b) (1) An advisory board, with its title and members to be named by the institute, shall be established to serve as an oversight body for the initiative in order to monitor progress and provide leadership from the perspectives of their respective participating organizations, departments, and divisions and to facilitate collaboration among researchers, practitioners, administrators, legislators, and community stakeholders.

(2) The advisory board shall provide expertise and support to the management committee.

(3) The advisory board shall be a check on accountability to ensure that the initiative is meeting its goals.

(4) The advisory board shall conduct a fiscal review of the distribution of funds to ensure alignment with the goals of the initiative.

(5) The membership of the advisory board shall be constituted as set forth in subdivision (c).

(c) The members of the advisory board shall be representatives from the following institutions, organizations, agencies, and groups:

(1) UCSF.

(2) UC college named in Section 92200.

(3) The UC/CSU California Collaborative for Learning and Neurodiversity.

(4) The Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission.

(5) A Member of the Assembly selected by the Speaker of the Assembly.

(6) A Senator selected by the President pro Tempore of the Senate.

(d) (1) The advisory board shall meet twice per year, with the potential for additional working group meetings.

(2) At each meeting, the advisory board shall participate in a review of reports, including updates on research, practice, and policy efforts, as well as fiscal reporting.

(e) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025, if amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.

SEC. 5.

Section 131315 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

131315.

If the Office of Suicide Prevention is established pursuant to Section 131300, all of the following shall apply:

(a) The Office of Suicide Prevention shall consult with the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission to implement suicide prevention efforts consistent with the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission’s Suicide Prevention Report “Striving for Zero” and described pursuant to Provision 1 of Item 4560-001-3085 of Section 2.00 of the Budget Act of 2020.

(b) This section does not authorize the Office of Suicide Prevention to perform any of the duties required by the commission under Part 3.7 (commencing with Section 5845) of Division 5 of, or administer any program funded by Part 4.5 (commencing with Section 5890) of Division 5 of, the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(c) If amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election, this section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2025, and as of that date is repealed.

SEC. 6.

Section 131315 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:

131315.

(a) If the Office of Suicide Prevention is established pursuant to Section 131300, both of the following shall apply:

(1) The Office of Suicide Prevention shall consult with the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission to implement suicide prevention efforts consistent with the Suicide Prevention Report “Striving for Zero,” as described pursuant to Provision 1 of Item 4560-001-3085 of Section 2.00 of the Budget Act of 2020.

(2) This section does not authorize the Office of Suicide Prevention to perform any of the duties required by the commission under Part 3.7 (commencing with Section 5845) of Division 5 of, or administer a program funded by Part 4.5 (commencing with Section 5890) of Division 5 of, the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(b) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025, if amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.

SEC. 7.

Section 19602.5 of the Revenue and Taxation Code is amended to read:

19602.5.

(a) There is in the State Treasury the Mental Health Services Fund (MHS Fund). The estimated revenue from the additional tax imposed under Section 17043 for the applicable fiscal year, as determined under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (c), shall be deposited to the MHS Fund on a monthly basis, subject to an annual adjustment as described in this section.

(b) (1) Beginning with fiscal year 2004–05 and for each fiscal year thereafter, the Controller shall deposit on a monthly basis in the MHS Fund an amount equal to the applicable percentage of net personal income tax receipts as defined in paragraph (4).

(2) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the applicable percentage referred to in paragraph (1) shall be 1.76 percent.

(B) For fiscal year 2004–05, the applicable percentage shall be 0.70 percent.

(3) Beginning with fiscal year 2006–07, monthly deposits to the MHS Fund pursuant to this subdivision are subject to suspension pursuant to subdivision (f).

(4) For purposes of this subdivision, “net personal income tax receipts” refers to amounts received by the Franchise Tax Board and the Employment Development Department under the Personal Income Tax Law, as reported by the Franchise Tax Board to the Department of Finance pursuant to law, regulation, procedure, and practice (commonly referred to as the “102 Report”) in effect on the effective date of the act establishing this section.

(c) No later than March 1, 2006, and each March 1 thereafter, the Department of Finance, in consultation with the Franchise Tax Board, shall determine the annual adjustment amount for the following fiscal year.

(1) The “annual adjustment amount” for any fiscal year shall be an amount equal to the amount determined by subtracting the “revenue adjustment amount” for the applicable revenue adjustment fiscal year, as determined by the Franchise Tax Board under paragraph (3), from the “tax liability adjustment amount” for applicable tax liability adjustment tax year, as determined by the Franchise Tax Board under paragraph (2).

(2) (A) (i) The “tax liability adjustment amount” for a tax year is equal to the amount determined by subtracting the estimated tax liability increase from the additional tax imposed under Section 17043 for the applicable year under subparagraph (B) from the amount of the actual tax liability increase from the additional tax imposed under Section 17043 for the applicable tax year, based on the returns filed for that tax year.

(ii) For purposes of the determinations required under this paragraph, actual tax liability increase from the additional tax means the increase in tax liability resulting from the tax of 1 percent imposed under Section 17043, as reflected on the original returns filed by October 15 of the year after the close of the applicable tax year.

(iii) The applicable tax year referred to in this paragraph means the 12-calendar month taxable year beginning on January 1 of the year that is two years before the beginning of the fiscal year for which an annual adjustment amount is calculated.

(B) (i) The estimated tax liability increase from the additional tax for the following tax years is:

Tax Year	Estimated Tax Liability Increase from the Additional Tax
2005	$634 million
2006	$672 million
2007	$713 million
2008	$758 million

(ii) The “estimated tax liability increase from the additional tax” for the tax year beginning in 2009 and each tax year thereafter shall be determined by applying an annual growth rate of 7 percent to the “estimated tax liability increase from additional tax” of the immediately preceding tax year.

(3) (A) The “revenue adjustment amount” is equal to the amount determined by subtracting the “estimated revenue from the additional tax” for the applicable fiscal year, as determined under subparagraph (B), from the actual amount transferred for the applicable fiscal year.

(B) (i) The “estimated revenue from the additional tax” for the following applicable fiscal years is:

Applicable Fiscal Year	Estimated Revenue from Additional Tax
2004–05	$254 million
2005–06	$683 million
2006–07	$690 million
2007–08	$733 million

(ii) The “estimated revenue from the additional tax” for applicable fiscal year 2007–08 and each applicable fiscal year thereafter shall be determined by applying an annual growth rate of 7 percent to the “estimated revenue from the additional tax” of the immediately preceding applicable fiscal year.

(iii) The applicable fiscal year referred to in this paragraph means the fiscal year that is two years before the fiscal year for which an annual adjustment amount is calculated.

(d) The Department of Finance shall notify the Legislature and the Controller of the results of the determinations required under subdivision (c) no later than 10 business days after the determinations are final.

(e) If the annual adjustment amount for a fiscal year is a positive number, the Controller shall transfer that amount from the General Fund to the MHS Fund on July 1 of that fiscal year.

(f) If the annual adjustment amount for a fiscal year is a negative number, the Controller shall suspend monthly transfers to the MHS Fund for that fiscal year, as otherwise required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), until the total amount of suspended deposits for that fiscal year equals the amount of the negative annual adjustment amount for that fiscal year.

(g) If amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election, this section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2025, and as of that date is repealed.

SEC. 8.

Section 19602.5 is added to the Revenue and Taxation Code, to read:

19602.5.

(a) There is in the State Treasury the Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Fund. The estimated revenue from the additional tax imposed under Section 17043 for the applicable fiscal year, as determined under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (c), shall be deposited to the BHS Fund on a monthly basis, subject to an annual adjustment as described in this section.

(b) (1) Each fiscal year, the Controller shall deposit on a monthly basis in the BHS Fund an amount equal to the applicable percentage of net personal income tax receipts as defined in paragraph (4).

(2) The applicable percentage referred to in paragraph (1) shall be 1.76 percent.

(3) Monthly deposits to the BHS Fund pursuant to this subdivision are subject to suspension pursuant to subdivision (f).

(1) The “annual adjustment amount” for a fiscal year shall be an amount equal to the amount determined by subtracting the “revenue adjustment amount” for the applicable revenue adjustment fiscal year, as determined by the Franchise Tax Board under paragraph (3), from the “tax liability adjustment amount” for applicable tax liability adjustment tax year, as determined by the Franchise Tax Board under paragraph (2).

(ii) For purposes of the determinations required under this paragraph, actual tax liability increase from the additional tax means the increase in tax liability resulting from the tax of 1 percent imposed under Section 17043 as reflected on the original returns filed by October 15 of the year after the close of the applicable tax year.

(B) The “estimated tax liability increase from the additional tax” for each tax year shall be determined by applying an annual growth rate of 7 percent to the “estimated tax liability increase from additional tax” of the immediately preceding tax year.

(B) (i) The “estimated revenue from the additional tax” for each applicable fiscal year shall be determined by applying an annual growth rate of 7 percent to the “estimated revenue from the additional tax” of the immediately preceding applicable fiscal year.

(ii) The applicable fiscal year referred to in this paragraph means the fiscal year that is two years before the fiscal year for which an annual adjustment amount is calculated.

(e) If the annual adjustment amount for a fiscal year is a positive number, the Controller shall transfer that amount from the General Fund to the BHS Fund on July 1 of that fiscal year.

(f) If the annual adjustment amount for a fiscal year is a negative number, the Controller shall suspend monthly transfers to the BHS Fund for that fiscal year, as otherwise required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), until the total amount of suspended deposits for that fiscal year equals the amount of the negative annual adjustment amount for that fiscal year.

(g) To the extent that there are moneys remaining in the Mental Health Services Fund on the date this section becomes operative, those moneys shall be transferred to the Behavioral Health Services Fund. Amounts owed or encumbered at the time of transfer shall be used in the manner required by the MHSA. Any funds not owed or encumbered by the MHSA may be used in the same manner as any other moneys in the BHS Fund.

(h) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025, if amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.

SEC. 9.

Section 1095.5 of the Unemployment Insurance Code is amended to read:

1095.5.

(a) (1) The director shall permit the use of any information in their possession to the extent necessary to enable the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission to receive quarterly wage data of mental health consumers served by the California public mental health system for the purpose of monitoring and evaluating employment outcomes to determine the effectiveness of those services.

(2) The director may require reimbursement for all direct costs incurred in providing any information specified in this section.

(3) The information shall be provided to the extent permitted under applicable federal statute and regulation.

(b) If amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election, this section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2025, and as of that date is repealed.

SEC. 10.

Section 1095.5 is added to the Unemployment Insurance Code, to read:

1095.5.

(a) (1) The director shall permit the use of any information in their possession to the extent necessary to enable the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission to receive quarterly wage data of individuals with a mental health disorder or a substance use disorder, or both, served by the California public mental health and substance use disorder system for the purpose of monitoring and evaluating employment outcomes to determine the effectiveness of those services.

(2) The director may require reimbursement for all direct costs incurred in providing any information specified in this section.

(3) The information shall be provided to the extent permitted under applicable federal statute and regulation.

(b) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025, if amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.

SEC. 11.

Section 4090 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

4090.

(a) The State Department of Health Care Services shall establish, by regulation, standards for the programs listed in Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 5670) of Part 2 of Division 5. These standards shall also be applied by the department to any facility licensed as a social rehabilitation facility pursuant to paragraph (7) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code.

(b) In establishing the standards required by this section, the department shall not establish standards that in themselves impose any new or increased costs on the programs or facilities affected by the standards.

(c) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), pursuant to Section 5963.05, the State Department of Health Care Services may develop and revise documentation standards for social rehabilitation facilities and community residential treatment programs to be consistent with the standards developed pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (h) of Section 14184.402.

(2) The department shall require social rehabilitation facilities and community residential treatment programs to implement these documentation standards and shall monitor compliance with these standards as part of program reviews.

SEC. 12.

Section 4094 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

4094.

(a) The State Department of Mental Health shall establish, by regulations adopted at the earliest possible date, but no later than December 31, 1994, program standards for any facility licensed as a community treatment facility. This section shall apply only to community treatment facilities described in this subdivision.

(b) Commencing July 1, 2012, the State Department of Health Care Services may adopt or amend regulations pertaining to the program standards for any facility licensed as a community treatment facility.

(c) A certification of compliance issued by the State Department of Health Care Services shall be a condition of licensure for the community treatment facility by the State Department of Social Services. The department may, upon the request of a county, delegate the certification and supervision of a community treatment facility to the county department of mental health.

(d) The State Department of Health Care Services shall adopt regulations to include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) Procedures by which the Director of Health Care Services shall certify that a facility requesting licensure as a community treatment facility pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 1500) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code is in compliance with program standards established pursuant to this section.

(2) Procedures by which the Director of Health Care Services shall deny a certification to a facility or decertify a facility that is licensed as a community treatment facility pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 1500) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, but no longer complying with program standards established pursuant to this section, in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(3) Provisions for site visits by the State Department of Health Care Services for the purpose of reviewing a facility’s compliance with program standards established pursuant to this section.

(4) Provisions for the community care licensing staff of the State Department of Social Services to report to the State Department of Health Care Services when there is reasonable cause to believe that a community treatment facility is not in compliance with program standards established pursuant to this section.

(5) Provisions for the State Department of Health Care Services to provide consultation and documentation to the State Department of Social Services in any administrative proceeding regarding denial, suspension, or revocation of a community treatment facility license.

(e) The standards adopted by regulations pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) shall include, but not be limited to, standards for treatment, staffing, and for the use of psychotropic medication, discipline, and restraints in the facilities. The standards shall also meet the requirements of Section 4094.5.

(f) (1) A community treatment facility shall not be required by the State Department of Health Care Services to have 24-hour onsite licensed nursing staff, but shall retain at least one full-time, or full-time-equivalent, registered nurse onsite if all of the following are applicable:

(A) The facility does not use mechanical restraint.

(B) The facility only admits children who have been assessed, at the point of admission, by a licensed primary care provider and a licensed psychiatrist, who have concluded, with respect to each child, that the child does not require medical services that require 24-hour nursing coverage. For purposes of this section, a “primary care provider” includes a person defined in Section 14254, or a nurse practitioner who has the responsibility for providing initial and primary care to patients, for maintaining the continuity of care, and for initiating referral for specialist care.

(C) Other medical or nursing staff shall be available on call to provide appropriate services, when necessary, within one hour. In order for a placement in a community treatment facility to be funded with federal Aid to Families with Dependent Children-Foster Care on behalf of an eligible child, the facility shall maintain registered or licensed nursing staff and other licensed clinical staff who are onsite, according to the facility’s treatment model, and who are available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. If consistent with the facility's treatment model, a community treatment facility may access the same nursing resources as those made available to a short-term residential therapeutic program pursuant to Section 4096.55.

(D) All direct care staff shall be trained in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and in emergency intervention techniques and methods approved by the Community Care Licensing Division of the State Department of Social Services.

(2) The State Department of Health Care Services may adopt emergency regulations as necessary to implement this subdivision. The adoption of these regulations shall be deemed to be an emergency and necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, and general welfare. The regulations shall be exempt from review by the Office of Administrative Law and shall become effective immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State. The regulations shall not remain in effect more than 180 days unless the adopting agency complies with all the provisions of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, as required by subdivision (e) of Section 11346.1 of the Government Code.

(g) During the initial public comment period for the adoption of the regulations required by this section, the community care facility licensing regulations proposed by the State Department of Social Services and the program standards proposed by the State Department of Health Care Services shall be presented simultaneously.

(h) A minor shall be admitted to a community treatment facility only if the requirements of Section 4094.5 of this code, Section 1530.9 of the Health and Safety Code, and either of the following conditions are met:

(1) The minor is within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, and has made voluntary application for mental health services pursuant to Section 6552.

(2) Informed consent is given by a parent, guardian, conservator, or other person having custody of the minor.

(i) Any minor admitted to a community treatment facility shall have the same due process rights afforded to a minor who may be admitted to a state hospital, pursuant to the holding in In re Roger S. (1977) 19 Cal.3d 921. Minors who are wards or dependents of the court and to whom this subdivision applies shall be afforded due process in accordance with Section 6552 and related case law, including In re Michael E. (1975) 15 Cal.3d 183. Regulations adopted pursuant to Section 4094 shall specify the procedures for ensuring these rights, including provisions for notification of rights and the time and place of hearings.

(j) (1) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) and (b), pursuant to Section 5963.05, the State Department of Health Care Services may develop and revise documentation standards for community treatment facilities to be consistent with the standards developed pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (h) of Section 14184.402.

(2) The department or the department’s delegate shall require community treatment facilities to implement these documentation standards and shall monitor compliance with these standards as part of the program reviews required for certification pursuant to subdivision (c).

SEC. 13.

Section 4096.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

4096.5.

(a) This section governs standards for the mental health program approval for short-term residential therapeutic programs, which is required under subdivision (c) of Section 1562.01 of the Health and Safety Code.

(b) All short-term residential therapeutic programs that serve children who have either been assessed as meeting the medical necessity criteria for Medi-Cal specialty mental health services, as provided for in Section 1830.205 or 1830.210 of Title 9 of the California Code of Regulations, or who have been assessed as seriously emotionally disturbed, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 5600.3, shall obtain and have in good standing a mental health program approval and a Medi-Cal mental health certification, as described in Section 11462.01, issued by the State Department of Health Care Services or a county mental health plan to which the department has delegated approval authority. This approval, which is required pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 1562.01 of the Health and Safety Code, is a condition for receiving an Aid to Families with Dependent Children-Foster Care rate pursuant to Section 11462.01.

(c) (1) A short-term residential therapeutic program shall not directly provide specialty mental health services without a current mental health program approval. A licensed short-term residential therapeutic program that has not obtained a program approval shall provide children in its care access to appropriate mental health services.

(2) County mental health plans shall ensure that Medi-Cal specialty mental health services, including, but not limited to, services under the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment benefit, are provided to all Medi-Cal beneficiaries served by short-term residential therapeutic programs who meet medical necessity criteria, as provided for in Section 1830.205 or 1830.210 of Title 9 of the California Code of Regulations.

(d) (1) The State Department of Health Care Services or a county mental health plan to which the department has delegated mental health program approval authority shall approve or deny mental health program approval requests within 45 days of receiving a request. The State Department of Health Care Services or a county mental health plan to which the department has delegated mental health program approval authority shall issue each mental health program approval for a period of one year, except for approvals granted pursuant to paragraph (2) and provisional approvals granted pursuant to regulations promulgated under subdivision (e), and shall specify the effective date of the approval. Approved entities shall meet all program standards to be reapproved.

(2) (A) Between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2017, the State Department of Health Care Services, or a county mental health plan to which the department has delegated mental health program approval authority, shall approve or deny a mental health program approval request within 90 days of receipt.

(B) Between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2017, the State Department of Health Care Services, or a county mental health plan to which the department has delegated mental health program approval authority, may issue a mental health program approval for a period of less than one year.

(e) (1) The State Department of Health Care Services and the county mental health plans to which the department has delegated mental health program approval authority may enforce the mental health program approval standards by taking any of the following actions against a noncompliant short-term residential therapeutic program:

(A) Suspend or revoke a mental health program approval.

(B) Impose monetary penalties.

(D) Require a mental health program to prepare and comply with a corrective action plan.

(2) The State Department of Health Care Services and the county mental health plans to which the department has delegated mental health program approval authority shall provide short-term residential therapeutic programs with due process protections when taking any of the actions described in paragraph (1).

(f) The State Department of Health Care Services, in consultation with the State Department of Social Services, shall promulgate regulations regarding program standards, oversight, enforcement, issuance of mental health program approvals, including provisional approvals that are effective for a period of less than one year, and due process protections related to the mental health program approval process for short-term residential therapeutic programs.

(g) (1) Except for mental health program approval of short-term residential therapeutic programs operated by a county, the State Department of Health Care Services may, upon the request of a county, delegate to that county mental health plan the mental health program approval of short-term residential therapeutic programs within its borders.

(2) Any county to which mental health program approval is delegated pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be responsible for the oversight and enforcement of program standards and the provision of due process for approved and denied entities.

(h) The State Department of Health Care Services or a county mental health plan to which the department has delegated mental health program approval authority shall notify the State Department of Social Services immediately upon the termination of any mental health program approval issued in accordance with subdivisions (b) and (d).

(i) The State Department of Social Services shall notify the State Department of Health Care Services and, if applicable, a county to which the department has delegated mental health program approval authority, immediately upon the revocation of any license issued pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 1500) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code.

(j) Revocation of a license or a mental health program approval or failure to meet the requirements of subdivision (c) of Section 1562.01 of the Health and Safety Code shall be a basis for rate termination.

(k) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (f), pursuant to Section 5963.05, the State Department of Health Care Services may develop and revise documentation standards to be consistent with the standards developed pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (h) of Section 14184.402.

(2) The department shall require short-term residential therapeutic programs to implement the documentation standards developed pursuant to paragraph (1) and shall monitor compliance with these standards as part of program reviews.

SEC. 14.

Section 5604 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

5604.

(a) (1) Each community mental health service shall have a mental health board consisting of 10 to 15 members, depending on the preference of the county, appointed by the governing body, except that boards in counties with a population of fewer than 80,000 may have a minimum of five members. A county with more than five supervisors shall have at least the same number of members as the size of its board of supervisors. This section does not limit the ability of the governing body to increase the number of members above 15.

(2) (A) The board shall serve in an advisory role to the governing body, and one member of the board shall be a member of the local governing body. Local mental health boards may recommend appointees to the county supervisors. The board membership should reflect the diversity of the client population in the county to the extent possible.

(B) Fifty percent of the board membership shall be consumers, or the parents, spouses, siblings, or adult children of consumers, who are receiving or have received mental health services. At least 20 percent of the total membership shall be consumers, and at least 20 percent shall be families of consumers.

(C) (i) In counties with a population of 100,000 or more, at least one member of the board shall be a veteran or veteran advocate. In counties with a population of fewer than 100,000, the county shall give a strong preference to appointing at least one member of the board who is a veteran or a veteran advocate.

(ii) To comply with clause (i), a county shall notify its county veterans service officer about vacancies on the board, if a county has a veterans service officer.

(D) In addition to the requirements in subparagraphs (B) and (C), counties are encouraged to appoint individuals who have experience with, and knowledge of, the mental health system. This would include members of the community that engage with individuals living with mental illness in the course of daily operations, such as representatives of county offices of education, large and small businesses, hospitals, hospital districts, physicians practicing in emergency departments, city police chiefs, county sheriffs, and community and nonprofit service providers.

(3) (A) In counties with a population that is fewer than 80,000, at least one member shall be a consumer and at least one member shall be a parent, spouse, sibling, or adult child of a consumer who is receiving, or has received, mental health services.

(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a board in a county with a population that is fewer than 80,000 that elects to have the board exceed the five-member minimum permitted under paragraph (1) shall be required to comply with paragraph (2).

(b) The mental health board shall review and evaluate the local public mental health system, pursuant to Section 5604.2, and advise the governing body on community mental health services delivered by the local mental health agency or local behavioral health agency, as applicable.

(c) The term of each member of the board shall be for three years. The governing body shall equitably stagger the appointments so that approximately one-third of the appointments expire in each year.

(d) If two or more local agencies jointly establish a community mental health service pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 6500) of Chapter 5 of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code, the mental health board for the community mental health service shall consist of an additional two members for each additional agency, one of whom shall be a consumer or a parent, spouse, sibling, or adult child of a consumer who has received mental health services.

(e) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a member of the board or the member’s spouse shall not be a full-time or part-time county employee of a county mental health service, an employee of the State Department of Health Care Services, or an employee of, or a paid member of the governing body of, a mental health contract agency.

(2) A consumer of mental health services who has obtained employment with an employer described in paragraph (1) and who holds a position in which the consumer does not have any interest, influence, or authority over any financial or contractual matter concerning the employer may be appointed to the board. The member shall abstain from voting on any financial or contractual issue concerning the member’s employer that may come before the board.

(f) Members of the board shall abstain from voting on any issue in which the member has a financial interest as defined in Section 87103 of the Government Code.

(g) If it is not possible to secure membership as specified in this section from among persons who reside in the county, the governing body may substitute representatives of the public interest in mental health who are not full-time or part-time employees of the county mental health service, the State Department of Health Care Services, or on the staff of, or a paid member of the governing body of, a mental health contract agency.

(h) The mental health board may be established as an advisory board or a commission, depending on the preference of the county.

(i) For purposes of this section, “veteran advocate” means either a parent, spouse, or adult child of a veteran, or an individual who is part of a veterans organization, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars or the American Legion.

(j) If amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election, this section shall become inoperative on January 1, 2025, and as of January 1, 2026, is repealed.

SEC. 15.

Section 5604 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

5604.

(a) (1) (A) Each community mental health service shall have a behavioral health board consisting of 10 to 15 members, depending on the preference of the county, appointed by the governing body, except that a board in a county with a population of fewer than 80,000 may have a minimum of 5 members.

(B) A county with more than five supervisors shall have at least the same number of members as the size of its board of supervisors.

(2) (A) (i) The board shall serve in an advisory role to the governing body, and one member of the board shall be a member of the local governing body.

(ii) Local behavioral health boards may recommend appointees to the county supervisors.

(iii) The board membership shall reflect the diversity of the client population in the county to the extent possible.

(B) (i) Fifty percent of the board membership shall be consumers, or the parents, spouses, siblings, or adult children of consumers, who are receiving or have received behavioral health services. At least one of these members shall be an individual who is 25 years of age or younger.

(ii) At least 20 percent of the total membership shall be consumers, and at least 20 percent shall be families of consumers.

(C) (i) In a county with a population of 100,000 or more, at least one member of the board shall be a veteran or veteran advocate. In a county with a population of fewer than 100,000, the county shall give a strong preference to appointing at least one member of the board who is a veteran or a veteran advocate.

(ii) To comply with clause (i), a county shall notify its county veterans service officer about vacancies on the board, if the county has a veterans service officer.

(D) (i) At least one member of the board shall be an employee of a local education agency.

(ii) To comply with clause (i), a county shall notify its county office of education about vacancies on the board.

(E) (i) In addition to the requirements in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D), counties are encouraged to appoint individuals who have experience with, and knowledge of, the behavioral health system.

(ii) This would include members of the community who engage with individuals living with mental illness or substance use disorder in the course of daily operations, such as representatives of county offices of education, large and small businesses, hospitals, hospital districts, physicians practicing in emergency departments, city police chiefs, county sheriffs, and community and nonprofit service providers.

(b) (1) The behavioral health board shall review and evaluate the local public mental health system, pursuant to Section 5604.2, and review and evaluate the local public substance use disorder treatment system.

(2) The behavioral health board shall advise the governing body on community mental health and substance use disorder services delivered by the local mental health agency or local behavioral health agency, as applicable.

(2) The governing body shall equitably stagger the appointments so that approximately one-third of the appointments expire in each year.

(d) If two or more local agencies jointly establish a community mental health service pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 6500) of Chapter 5 of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code, the behavioral health board for the community mental health service shall consist of an additional two members for each additional agency, one of whom shall be a consumer or a parent, spouse, sibling, or adult child of a consumer who has received mental health or substance use disorder treatment services.

(e) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a member of the board or the member’s spouse shall not be a full-time or part-time county employee of a county mental health and substance use disorder service, an employee of the State Department of Health Care Services, or an employee of, or a paid member of the governing body of, a mental health or substance use disorder contract agency.

(2) (A) A consumer of behavioral health services who has obtained employment with an employer described in paragraph (1) and who holds a position in which the consumer does not have an interest, influence, or authority over a financial or contractual matter concerning the employer may be appointed to the board.

(B) The member shall abstain from voting on a financial or contractual issue concerning the member’s employer that may come before the board.

(f) Members of the board shall abstain from voting on an issue in which the member has a financial interest as defined in Section 87103 of the Government Code.

(g) If it is not possible to secure membership as specified in this section from among persons who reside in the county, the governing body may substitute representatives of the public interest in behavioral health who are not full-time or part-time employees of the county behavioral health service, the State Department of Health Care Services, or on the staff of, or a paid member of the governing body of, a behavioral health contract agency.

(h) The behavioral health board may be established as an advisory board or a commission, depending on the preference of the county.

(j) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025, if amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.

SEC. 16.

Section 5604.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

5604.1.

(a) Local mental health advisory boards shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 54950) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code, relating to meetings of local agencies.

(b) If amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election, this section shall become inoperative on January 1, 2025, and as of January 1, 2026, is repealed.

SEC. 17.

Section 5604.1 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

5604.1.

(a) Local behavioral health boards are subject to the provisions of Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 54950) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code, relating to meetings of local agencies.

(b) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025, if amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary.

SEC. 18.

Section 5604.2 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

5604.2.

(a) 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.

(c) If amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election, this section shall become inoperative on January 1, 2025, and as of January 1, 2026, is repealed.

SEC. 19.

Section 5604.2 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

5604.2.

(a) The local behavioral health board shall do all of the following:

(1) Review and evaluate the community’s public behavioral health needs, services, facilities, and special problems in a facility within the county or jurisdiction where mental health or substance use disorder evaluations or services are being provided, including, but not limited to, schools, emergency departments, and psychiatric facilities.

(2) (A) Review county agreements entered into pursuant to Section 5650.

(B) The local behavioral health board may make recommendations to the governing body regarding concerns identified within these agreements.

(3) (A) Advise the governing body and the local behavioral health director as to any aspect of the local behavioral health systems.

(B) Local behavioral health boards may request assistance from the local patients’ rights advocates when reviewing and advising on mental health or substance use disorder evaluations or services provided in public facilities with limited access.

(4) (A) Review and approve the procedures used to ensure citizen and professional involvement at all stages of the planning process.

(B) Involvement shall include individuals with lived experience of mental illness, substance use disorder, or both, and their families, community members, advocacy organizations, and behavioral health professionals. It shall also include other professionals who interact with individuals living with mental illnesses or substance use disorders on a daily basis, such as education, emergency services, employment, health care, housing, public safety, local business owners, social services, older adults, transportation, and veterans.

(5) Submit an annual report to the governing body on the needs and performance of the county’s behavioral health system.

(6) (A) Review and make recommendations on applicants for the appointment of a local director of behavioral health services.

(B) 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 behavioral 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.

(c) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025, if amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.

SEC. 20.

Section 5604.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

5604.3.

(a) The board of supervisors may pay from any available funds the actual and necessary expenses of the members of the mental health board of a community mental health service incurred incident to the performance of their official duties and functions. The expenses may include travel, lodging, childcare, and meals for the members of an advisory board while on official business as approved by the director of the local mental health program.

(b) Governing bodies are encouraged to provide a budget for the local mental health board, using planning and administrative revenues identified in subdivision (c) of Section 5892, that is sufficient to facilitate the purpose, duties, and responsibilities of the local mental health board.

SEC. 21.

Section 5604.3 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

5604.3.

(a) (1) The board of supervisors may pay from available funds the actual and necessary expenses of the members of the behavioral health board of a community mental health service incurred incident to the performance of their official duties and functions.

(2) The expenses may include travel, lodging, childcare, and meals for the members of the board while on official business as approved by the director of the local behavioral health program.

(b) Governing bodies are encouraged to provide a budget for the local behavioral health board using planning and administrative revenues identified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (e) of Section 5892, that is sufficient to facilitate the purpose, duties, and responsibilities of the local behavioral health board.

(c) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025, if amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.

SEC. 22.

Section 5604.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

5604.5.

The local mental health board shall develop bylaws to be approved by the governing body which shall do all of the following:

(a) Establish the specific number of members on the mental health board, consistent with subdivision (a) of Section 5604.

(b) Ensure that the composition of the mental health board represents and reflects the diversity and demographics of the county as a whole, to the extent feasible.

(d) Establish that the chairperson of the mental health board be in consultation with the local mental health director.

(e) Establish that there may be an executive committee of the mental health board.

(f) If amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election, this section shall become inoperative on January 1, 2025, and as of January 1, 2026, is repealed.

SEC. 23.

Section 5604.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

5604.5.

The local behavioral health board shall develop bylaws to be approved by the governing body that shall do all of the following:

(a) Establish the specific number of members on the behavioral health board, consistent with subdivision (a) of Section 5604.

(b) Ensure that the composition of the behavioral health board represents and reflects the diversity and demographics of the county as a whole, to the extent feasible.

(d) Establish that the chairperson of the behavioral health board be in consultation with the local behavioral health director.

(e) Establish that there may be an executive committee of the behavioral health board.

(f) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025, if amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.

SEC. 24.

Section 5610 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

5610.

(a) Each county mental health system shall comply with reporting requirements developed by the State Department of Health Care Services, in consultation with the California Behavioral Health Planning Council and the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, which shall be uniform and simplified. The department shall review existing data requirements to eliminate unnecessary requirements and consolidate requirements that are necessary. These requirements shall provide comparability between counties in reports.

(b) The department shall develop, in consultation with the Performance Outcome Committee, the California Behavioral Health Planning Council, and the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, pursuant to Section 5611, and with the California Health and Human Services Agency, uniform definitions and formats for a statewide, nonduplicative client-based information system that includes all information necessary to meet federal mental health grant requirements and state and federal Medicaid reporting requirements, and any other state requirements established by law. The data system, including performance outcome measures reported pursuant to Section 5613, shall be developed by July 1, 1992.

(c) Unless determined necessary by the department to comply with federal law and regulations, the data system developed pursuant to subdivision (b) shall not be more costly than that in place during the 1990–91 fiscal year.

(d) (1) The department shall develop unique client identifiers that permit development of client-specific cost and outcome measures and related research and analysis.

(2) The department’s collection and use of client information, and the development and use of client identifiers, shall be consistent with clients’ constitutional and statutory rights to privacy and confidentiality.

(3) Data reported to the department may include name and other personal identifiers. That information is confidential and subject to Section 5328 and any other state and federal laws regarding confidential client information.

(4) Personal client identifiers reported to the department shall be protected to ensure confidentiality during transmission and storage through encryption and other appropriate means.

(5) Information reported to the department may be shared with local public mental health agencies submitting records for the same person and that information is subject to Section 5328.

(e) All client information reported to the department pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 4030) of Part 1 of Division 4, Sections 5328 to 5772.5, inclusive, Chapter 8.9 (commencing with Section 14700) of Part 3 of Division 9, and any other state and federal laws regarding reporting requirements, consistent with Section 5328, shall not be used for purposes other than those purposes expressly stated in the reporting requirements referred to in this subdivision.

(f) The department may adopt emergency regulations to implement this section in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code). The adoption of emergency regulations to implement this section that are filed with the Office of Administrative Law within one year of the date on which the act that added this subdivision took effect shall be deemed to be an emergency and necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, or general welfare and shall remain in effect for no more than 180 days.

(g) If amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election, this section shall become inoperative on July 1, 2026, and as of January 1, 2027, is repealed.

SEC. 25.

Section 5610 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

5610.

(a) (1) Each county behavioral health system shall comply with reporting requirements developed by the State Department of Health Care Services, in consultation with the California Behavioral Health Planning Council and the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, which shall be uniform and simplified.

(2) The department shall review existing data requirements to eliminate unnecessary requirements and consolidate requirements that are necessary.

(3) These requirements shall provide comparability between counties in reports.

(b) (1) The department and the California Health and Human Services Agency shall develop, in consultation with the Performance Outcome Committee, the California Behavioral Health Planning Council, and the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, pursuant to Section 5611, uniform definitions and formats for a statewide, nonduplicative, client-based information system that includes all information necessary to meet federal mental health grant requirements, state and federal Medicaid reporting requirements, and other state requirements established by law.

(2) The data system, including performance outcome measures reported pursuant to Section 5613, shall be developed by July 1, 1992.

(d) (1) The department shall develop unique client identifiers that permit development of client-specific cost and outcome measures and related research and analysis.

(3) (A) Data reported to the department may include name and other personal identifiers.

(B) That information is confidential and subject to Section 5328 and any other state and federal law regarding confidential client information.

(4) Personal client identifiers reported to the department shall be protected to ensure confidentiality during transmission and storage through encryption and other appropriate means.

(5) (A) Information reported to the department may be shared with local public behavioral health agencies submitting records for the same person.

(B) The information described in this paragraph is subject to Section 5328.

(e) All client information reported to the department pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 4030) of Part 1 of Division 4 and Sections 5328 to 5772.5, inclusive, Chapter 8.9 (commencing with Section 14700), and any other state and federal law regarding reporting requirements, consistent with Section 5328, shall not be used for purposes other than those purposes expressly stated in the reporting requirements referred to in this subdivision.

(g) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2026, if amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.

SEC. 26.

Section 5613 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

5613.

(a) Counties shall annually report data on performance measures established pursuant to Section 5612 to the local mental health advisory board and to the Director of Health Care Services.

(b) The Director of Health Care Services shall annually make data on county performance available to the Legislature, and post that data on the department’s Internet Web site, by no later than March 15 of each year.

SEC. 27.

Section 5613 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

5613.

(a) Counties shall annually report data on performance measures established pursuant to Section 5612 to the local behavioral health board and to the Director of Health Care Services.

(b) The Director of Health Care Services shall annually make data on county performance available to the Legislature and post that data on the department’s internet website by no later than March 15 of each year.

(c) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025, if amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election.

SEC. 28.

Section 5614 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

5614.

(a) The department, in consultation with the Compliance Advisory Committee that shall have representatives from relevant stakeholders, including, but not limited to, local behavioral health departments, local behavioral health boards and commissions, private and community-based providers, consumers and family members of consumers, local educational agency representatives including, but not limited to, educators and school staff, and advocates, shall establish a protocol for ensuring that local behavioral health departments meet statutory and regulatory requirements for the provision of publicly funded community mental health services provided under this part.

(b) The protocol shall include a procedure for review and assurance of compliance for all of the following elements, and any other element required in law or regulation:

(1) Financial maintenance of effort requirements provided for under Section 17608.05.

(2) Each local behavioral health board has approved procedures that ensure citizen and professional involvement in the local mental health and substance use disorder planning process.

(3) Children’s services are funded pursuant to the requirements of Sections 5704.5 and 5704.6.

(4) The local behavioral health department complies with reporting requirements developed by the department.

(5) To the extent resources are available, the local behavioral health department maintains the program principles and the array of treatment options required under Sections 5600.2 to 5600.9, inclusive.

(6) The local behavioral health department meets the reporting required by the performance outcome systems for adults and children.

(c) (1) The protocol developed pursuant to subdivision (a) shall focus on law and regulations and shall include, but not be limited to, the items specified in subdivision (b).

(2) The protocol shall include data collection procedures so that state review and reporting may occur.

(3) The protocol shall also include a procedure for the provision of technical assistance and formal decision rules and procedures for enforcement consequences when the requirements of law and regulations are not met.

(4) These standards and decision rules shall be established through the consensual stakeholder process established by the department.

(d) If amendments to the Mental Health Services Act are approved by the voters at the March 5, 2024, statewide primary election, this section shall become inoperative on January 1, 2025, and as of January 1, 2027, is repealed.

SEC. 29.

Section 5614 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

5614.

(a) The department, in consultation with the Compliance Advisory Committee that shall have representatives from relevant stakeholders, including, but not limited to, local behavioral health departments, local behavioral health boards and commissions, private and community-based providers, consumers and family members of consumers, local education agency representatives including, but not limited to, educators and school staff, and advocates, shall establish a protocol for ensuring that local behavioral health departments meet statutory and regulatory requirements for the provision of publicly funded community mental health services provided under this part.