June 6th, 2025
The Honorable Jesse Arreguín
Senate Public Safety Committee
1020 N Street, Room 545
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Support for Assembly Bill 1387 (Quirk-Silva)
Dear Chair Arreguín,
Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is pleased to support AB 1387 (Quirk-Silva), legislation that would establish mental health multidisciplinary personnel teams, to facilitate the identification, assessment, and linkage of a justice-involved person diagnosed with a mental illness to supportive services while incarcerated and upon release from county jail.
MHAC is a peer-run organization leading the state in behavioral health public policy and advocacy since 1957. The mission of MHAC is to assist and encourage communities, families and individuals to experience hope, wellness and recovery from mental health and substance use disorder issues. The people and communities we aim to serve include those of all ages; sexual orientation, gender identity or expression; language, racial and ethnic backgrounds, national origin, and immigration status; spirituality and religious affiliations; or socioeconomic status.
Transition services from institutions for mental diseases, jails, and mental health rehabilitation centers help ensure that individuals with mental health challenges won’t experience any disruptions in care and can be safely integrated into their community. These services help individuals develop independence and can reduce cycling between California’s health crisis and justice system. Justice involved individuals have significant challenges reintegrating into their community due to the stigma of being formerly incarcerated and the lack of assistance to identify the services they need. Without proper support, individuals can fall through the cracks of California’s safety net programs, experience additional health challenges leading to more health crises, and potentially be incarcerated again.
This bill ensures a designated mental health multidisciplinary personnel team is established to provide transitional services and support that can prevent mental health crises from developing and promote long-term wellness goals. To accomplish these goals, services include but are not limited to healthcare, housing, and other social services.
It is for these reasons MHAC supports AB 1387 (Quirk Silva) and asks for your “Aye” vote. If you have any questions, or if MHAC can provide any assistance on this bill or any behavioral health legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me at hstrunk@mhac.org or our Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari, at kvicari@mhaofca.org.
In Community,
Heidi L. Strunk
President & CEO
