SB 585

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Existing law contains provisions governing the operation and financing of community mental health services for the mentally disordered in every county through locally administered and locally controlled community mental health programs. Existing law, the Mental Health Services Act, 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, as specified. The act establishes the Mental Health Services Fund, continuously appropriated to and administered by the State Department of Health Care Services, to fund specified county mental health programs, including programs funded under the Adult and Older Adult Mental Health System of Care Act. The Adult and Older Adult Mental Health System of Care Act establishes service standards that require, among other things, that a service planning and delivery process provides for services that are client directed and employ psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery principles. The act authorizes the Legislature to clarify procedures and terms of the act by majority vote. Existing law, the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Demonstration Project Act of 2002, known as Laura's Law, until January 1, 2017, regulates designated assisted outpatient treatment services, which counties may choose to provide for their residents. In counties where assisted outpatient treatment services are available, a person is authorized to obtain assisted outpatient treatment pursuant to an order if requisite criteria are met, as specified. Under that law, participating counties are required to provide prescribed assisted outpatient services, including a service planning and delivery process, that are client directed and employ psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery principles. This bill would clarify that services provided under Laura's Law may be provided pursuant to the procedures specified in the Mental Health Services Act, thereby making an appropriation. Because the bill would clarify the procedures and terms of Proposition 63, it would require a majority vote of the Legislature. Under existing law, the underlying philosophy for the system of care for adults and older adults includes clients who should be fully informed and volunteer for all treatments provided, unless danger to self or others or grave disability requires temporary involuntary treatment. This bill would include within those exceptions clients who are under court order for treatment, as specified. Existing law establishes the Local Revenue Fund, which contains specified accounts and subaccounts, including the Mental Health Subaccount, the Mental Health Equity Subaccount, and the Vehicle License Collection Account. Existing law establishes the Local Revenue Fund 2011, which contains specified accounts and subaccounts, including the Mental Health Account and the Behavioral Health Subaccount within the Support Services Account. This bill would, to the extent otherwise permitted under state and federal law, specify that counties that elect to implement Laura's Law may pay for those services using funds distributed to counties from the Mental Health Subaccount, the Mental Health Equity Subaccount, and the Vehicle License Collection Account of the Local Revenue Fund, funds from the Mental Health Account and the Behavioral Health Subaccount, within the Support Services Account of the Local Revenue Fund 2011, funds from the Mental Health Services Fund, and any other funds from which the Controller makes distributions to the counties, for those purposes.