Assembly Bill Archives - Mental Health America of California

AB 489 (BONTA) Health care professions: deceptive terms or letters: artificial intelligence – Support

April 14th, 2025

The Honorable Rebecca Bauer-Kahan
Chair, Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee
1020 N Street, Room 162
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Support for Assembly Bill 489 (Bonta)

Dear Chair Bauer-Kahan,

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support Assembly Bill 489 (Bonta), which would prohibit entities from using artificial intelligence (AI) that falsely claim or suggest it is a licensed doctor or healthcare provider to provide advice, care, reports, or assessments. The bill makes it illegal for AI to use certain words, letters, or phrases that imply it is being operated by someone with a valid healthcare license or certificate when it is not.

CAYEN is a youth-led statewide network comprised of TAY Action Teams and CAYEN Board members which engages, empowers and represents Transitional Age Youth (TAY), ages 15-26, in mental health advocacy on issues that directly affect TAY. Since CAYEN’s inception in 2006, CAYEN has taken many forms of action to empower TAY in their personal lives and spark progressive change in public policy. With virtual mental health services or tele-health expanding in California, increasing access to youth who are more technologically capable, it is important to ensure that safeguards are in place to ensure accurate information is being shared with youth.

In the early days of social media, youth were warned about the risks of online communication, especially the fear that the person on the other end might not be who they claim to be. Since then, technology has evolved with AI capabilities to ask questions, assign tasks, and generate automated responses, sometimes inaccurate and harmful, based on various algorithms. This danger of not knowing who you are communicating with on the internet still exists. Youth can now use AI to ask questions and seek advice regarding their own mental health challenges; however, many AI responses are not regulated or controlled by an actually practicing, licensed, and certified healthcare provider.

This bill incorporates safeguards to ensure youth are not receiving false and potentially harmful information related to their mental health or substance use challenges. For these reasons, CAYEN supports AB 489 (Bonta) and asks for your “Aye” vote. If you have any questions, or if CAYEN can provide assistance on this bill or any other behavioral health legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org or our Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari, at kvicari@mhaofca.org.

Sincerely,

Danny Thirakul
California Youth Empowerment Network
Public Policy Coordinator

AB 512 (HARABEDIAN) Shortened timeline for prior authorization – Support

April 14^th, 2025

The Honorable Mia Bonta
Chair, Assembly Health Committee
1020 N Street, Room 390
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Support for AB 512 (Harabedian)

Dear Chair Bonta,

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is pleased to support Assembly Bill 512 (Harabedian), legislation that would shorten prior authorizations for health care services to no more than 48 hours for standard requests or 24 hours for urgent requests.

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 through voluntary services that are delivered in their local community with compassion and respect for everyone’s dignity and autonomy. Prior authorization procedures can create significant barriers to access voluntary mental health and substance use services.

The prior authorization process requires providers to obtain approval from health plans before delivering certain services or support, including mental health care. However, this process can take anywhere from one to five days. This delay can create unnecessary barriers to accessing voluntary services, services that are intended to support individuals before they reach a point of crisis. This bill ensures that care is delivered promptly by reducing delays for both standard and urgent requests.

It is for these reasons MHAC supports AB 512 (Harabedian) 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

AB 510 (ADDIS) Health care coverage peer-to-peer review – Support

April 14^th, 2025

The Honorable Mia Bonta
Chair, Assembly Health Committee
1020 N Street, Room 390
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Support for Assembly Bill 510 (Addis)

Dear Chair Bonta,

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is pleased to support AB 510 (Addis), legislation that ensures appeals or grievances related to denied healthcare services are reviewed within 2 business days by a licensed physician or a qualified healthcare professional with expertise in the relevant area. Additionally, if these timelines are not met, the request would be automatically approved.

Individuals can experience a range of mental health or substance use challenges, and when they seek appropriate support or services through their health insurance, coverage denials can create serious gaps in care. While health plans offer grievance processes for enrollees to challenge these denials, the grievances are sometimes reviewed by general physicians or health administrators who may lack the specialized expertise needed to assess mental health or substance use conditions. This lack of competency can lead to continued denials, delaying or denying access to necessary care. In 2016, the Department of Managed Health Care reported that enrollees who requested an Independent Medical Review (IMR) after a health plan grievance was unresolved received the requested health care services in nearly 69 percent of cases.[1]

By ensuring competent review of coverage denials in the grievance process, this bill will help reduce gaps in care and reduce the need for IMRs. It is for these reasons MHAC supports AB 510 (Addis) 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 feel free to contact me at hstrunk@mhac.org or reach out to our Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari, at kvicari@mhaofca.org.

In Community,

Heidi L. Strunk
President & CEO

[1] The California Department of Managed Health Care. (2016). 2016 ANNUAL REPORT.

AB 348 (Krell) Full Service Partnership Eligibility – Support

June 3^rd, 2025

The Honorable Caroline Menjivar
Senate Health Committee
1021 O Street, Room 3310
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: MHAC Support for Assembly Bill 348 (Krell)

Dear Chair Menjivar,

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is pleased to support Assembly Bill 348 (Krell), legislation that defines presumptive eligibility for full-service partnerships (FSPs) to include individuals with a serious mental illness (SMI) who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness, transitioning to the community after six months or more in a secured treatment facility, has been detained five or more times pursuant to Section 5150 over the last five years, or transitioning to the community after six months or more in the state prison or 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. FSPs align with this mission by offering flexible, voluntary services with a “whatever it takes” approach to support individuals living with an SMI.

FSPs offer wraparound, whole-person care that helps reduce homelessness, improve mental health outcomes, lower emergency room visits, reduce justice involvement, and increase community integration. By establishing presumptive eligibility, AB 348 (Krell) removes unnecessary barriers to care and ensures timely access to vital services. This bill is especially applicable to individuals with an SMI who need step-down levels of care after leaving locked institutional treatment facilities, incarceration, or while experiencing homelessness. It also ensures eligibility even when the primary diagnosis is a substance use disorder with a co-occurring serious mental illness.

Each eligibility criteria represents a significant life event for someone living with an SMI. Being properly supported with an FSP can mark a significant turning point in one’s recovery journey. It is for these reasons MHAC supports AB 348 (Krell) 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

AB 529 (Ahrens) Pharmacy State of Emergency – Support

June 3^rd, 2025

The Honorable Angelique Ashby
Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee
1021 O Street, Room 3320
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: MHAC Support for AB 529 (Ahrens)

Dear Chair,

Mental Health America of California is writing in support of AB 529 (Ahrens), legislation that would allow the California State Board of Pharmacy to waive provisions of the Pharmacy Law for up to 120 days instead of 90 days after the end of a declared federal, state, or local state of emergency. This would allow mobile pharmacies or clinics to continue severing impacted areas and ensure continuity of services.

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. When natural disasters impact whole communities, access to vital mental health and substance use services must be prioritized to prevent disruptions in care and provide hope for restoration.

A state of emergency can arise in various forms, including epidemics, power outages, extreme weather, and natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and wildfires. During such emergencies, the availability of resources and public services becomes scarce, such as access to healthcare services and medication. During times of great stress, Individuals may develop, or experience heightened, mental health challenges increasing the need for these vital services.

While the Board of Pharmacy may currently waive provisions of the pharmacy law for up to 90 days after the end of a state of emergency to allow mobile clinics and pharmacies to operate, it can take more than 90 days to rebuild a community and for any sense of normalcy to return. This bill would allow for an additional 30 days for a total of 120 days expanding access to care and medications as communities transition from crisis intervention to rehabilitation.

For these reason MHAC supports AB 529 (Ahrens) 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

AB 322 (Ward) School-Based Health Services and School-Based Mental Health Services – Support

June 4^th, 2025

The Honorable Sasha Renée Pérez
Senate Education Committee
1021 O Street, Room 6740
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: CAYEN Support for Assembly Bill 322 (Ward)

Dear Chair,

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support AB 322 (Ward), legislation that would provide guidance to county offices of education and charter schools to establish “Health Days” to provide screenings for common health problems among pupils. This bill would also encourage all schools to participate in programs that offer reimbursement for school-based health services and school-based mental health services.

CAYEN is a youth-led statewide network comprised of TAY Action Teams and CAYEN Board members that engages, empowers, and represents Transitional Age Youth (TAY), ages 15-26, in mental health advocacy on issues that directly affect TAY. One of CAYEN’s top priorities is expanding access to inclusive, culturally responsive, and community-based mental health and substance use services.

Youth throughout California, especially in rural communities, face significant barriers to accessing services. Not all schools have a school-based health center or are located close enough to providers. While school districts already receive information on establishing “Health Days”, AB 322 would help close gaps in care by providing guidance to county offices of education and charter schools. These days provide education to youth about various health problems and allow for proper screenings of common health problems among youth, including mental health. Early identification and intervention can ensure proper services and support are provided, which would result in long-term positive health outcomes.

In addition to designating a specific day for health education and screening, this bill would encourage schools to participate in programs that offer reimbursement for school-based health and mental health services. The California Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) is a five-year initiative that is changing the way California supports children, youth, and families. Through its statewide multi-payer fee schedule for school-linked behavioral health services, Medi-Cal and commercial plans must adhere to set rates for local education agencies and school-affiliated providers. Schools now have the fiscal capabilities to invest and provide services to their youth.

For these reasons, we support AB 322 (Ward) and ask for your “Aye” vote. If you have any questions, or if CAYEN can provide assistance on this bill or any other behavioral health legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org or our Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari, at kvicari@mhac.org.

Sincerely,

Danny Thirakul
California Youth Empowerment Network
Public Policy Coordinator

AB 1034 (Ávila Farías) Including Youth Mental Health in Teacher Preparation Programs – Support

June 6^th, 2025

The Honorable Sasha Renée Pérez
Senate Education Committee
1021 O Street, Room 6740
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: CAYEN Support for AB 1034 (Ávila Farías)

Dear Chair Pérez,

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support AB 1034 (Ávila Farías), legislation that would include a basic understanding of youth mental health in a professional preparation program required for teacher credentialing.

CAYEN is a youth-led statewide network comprised of TAY Action Teams and CAYEN Board members which engages, empowers and represents Transitional Age Youth (TAY), ages 15-26, in mental health advocacy on issues that directly affect TAY. Since CAYEN’s inception in 2006, CAYEN has taken many forms of action to empower TAY in their personal lives and spark progressive change in public policy. Creating spaces that nurture and support youth so they can access critical mental health and substance use services is vital to the destigmatization revolving around mental health.

The Center for Disease Control released their Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2013–2023 and found that there was an increase in youth experiencing violence, poor mental health, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.[1] Since TAY spend a significant portion of their lives at school, a teacher is often the first-person youth seek support from if experiencing mental health challenges. Teachers are also most likely to identify potential challenges youth are experiencing given their daily interactions with them.

The ability to identify youth at risk and link them to support before their mental health or substance use challenge exacerbates will help bridge gaps in access and reduce mental health disparities. This bill ensures teachers will have basic knowledge of youth mental health and will better prepare them to support youth health and wellness.

It is for these reasons, CAYEN supports AB 1034 (Avila Farías) and asks for your “Aye” vote. If you have any questions, or if CAYEN can provide assistance on this bill or any other behavioral health legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org or our Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari, at kvicari@mhaofca.org.

Sincerely,

Danny Thirakul
California Youth Empowerment Network
Public Policy Coordinator

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2013–2023. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2024.

AB 1387 (Quirk-Silva) Mental Health Multidisciplinary Personnel Team – Support

June 6^th, 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

AB 785 (SHARP-COLLINS) Community Violence Interdiction Grant Program – Support

April 15th, 2025

The Honorable Mia Bonta
Chair, Assembly Health Committee
1020 N Street, Room 390
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Support for Assembly Bill 785 (Sharp-Collins)

Dear Chair Bonta,

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support AB 785 (Sharp-Collins), legislation that would create the Community Violence Interdiction Grant Program, aimed at providing funding for community-driven solutions to decrease violence in neighborhoods and schools. A key component of this grant program is its flexibility to fund enhanced recreation and health-based activities, trauma-informed interventions for youth, and the creation of school-based health centers.

Youth across California are experiencing heightened mental health and substance use challenges due to a variety of external factors related to family, school, and community environment. This bill presents an opportunity to invest in community-based services and support for youth most impacted by violence, gang involvement, trauma, homelessness, poverty, and justice system involvement. This grant’s focus on community-based services ensures that institutions are well resourced and prepared to meet youth where they are and enrich youth lives towards better health outcomes.

For these reasons, CAYEN strongly supports AB 785 (Sharp-Collins) and urges your “Aye” vote. If you have any questions, or if CAYEN can provide assistance on this bill or any other behavioral health legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org or our Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari, at kvicari@mhaofca.org.

Sincerely,

Danny Thirakul
California Youth Empowerment Network
Public Policy Coordinator

AB 539 (SCHIAVO) Extended Health Care Authorizations – Support

April 15^th, 2025

The Honorable Mia Bonta
Chair, Assembly Health Committee
1020 N Street, Room 390
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Support for AB 539 (Schiavo)

Dear Chair Bonta,

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is pleased to support Assembly Bill 539 (Schiavo), legislation that would allow prior authorizations for health care services to remain valid for one year from the date of approval.

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 through voluntary services that are delivered in their local community with compassion and respect for everyone’s dignity and autonomy. Prior authorization procedures can create significant barriers to accessing voluntary mental health and substance use services.

The prior authorization process requires providers to obtain approval from health plans before delivering certain services or support, including mental healthcare. However, it can take anywhere from one to five days before receiving approval. Additionally, prior authorizations are not permanent. How long an authorization remains active is determined by and varies across health plans and may need to be renewed multiple times for the same care within a given year. These delays create unnecessary barriers to addressing known health challenges and will widen the gap in access to vital support and services intended to help individuals before they reach a point of crisis.

This bill helps ensure continuity of care by reducing disruptions caused by repeated prior authorization requests by standardizing the length of approval for at least one year. It is for these reasons MHAC supports AB 539 (Schiavo) 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