Prior Priority Legislation

MHAC Position: Support

Author: Allen

Date: 06/22/2025

The Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975 regulates health care service plans in California. It mandates that health care plans and health insurance policies include coverage for medically necessary mental health and substance use disorder treatments for individuals 25 years or younger when these services are delivered at school sites. The new bill expands the definition of a "schoolsite" to also include qualified youth drop-in centers, extending the coverage and reimbursement requirement to thesecenters as well. It applies to both private health plans and Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program. Violations related to these plans are criminal offenses. The bill does not require the state to reimburse local agencies or school districts for any costs associated with these provisions.

Read the Bill Check the Status

MHAC Position: Oppose

Author: Stern

Date: 06/22/2025

The Community Assistance Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Act allows specific adults to petition a civil court to form a voluntary agreement or a court-ordered plan for services provided by county behavioral health agencies. These services include medication, housing, and other supports for adults with severe mental illnesses, specifically those diagnosed with schizophrenia and related disorders. The new bill proposes to add bipolar I disorder to the criteria for receiving these services. This change would increase responsibilities for county behavioral health agencies, creating a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies for certain state-mandated costs, and procedures exist to handle such reimbursements. If this bill incurs state-mandated costs, reimbursement will be provided according to these established procedures.

Read the Bill Check the Status

MHAC Position: MHAC Sponsored

Author: Quirk-Silva

Date: 06/18/2025

The bill proposes that the third week of May 2025 be officially recognized in California as Mental Health Peer Appreciation Week.

Read the Bill Check the Status

MHAC Position: Support

Author: Blakespear

Date: 06/22/2025

The measure proposes designating the week of May 5, 2025, as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week.

Read the Bill Check the Status