Position Category: Assembly Bill

AB 787 (PAPAN) Provider Directory Disclosure – Support

June 11th, 2025

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

RE: MHAC Support for AB 787 (Papan)

Dear Chair Menjivar,   

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is pleased to support Assembly Bill 787 (Papan), legislation that would require health plans to respond to enrollee inquires seeking a provider within one business day and provide a list of available providers within 2 business days.

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.

Finding a mental health provider within your health plan can be a significant barrier to receiving services. Inaccurate provider directories can lead to prolonged delays in care, frustration, and sometimes leads individuals to give up seeking mental health care altogether. Enrollees attempting to make an appointment using a directory may discover that the provider is no longer contracted with their health plan, has moved, or is no longer accepting new patients. Once a provider is located, enrollees may still have to wait up to 15 days before establishing care.

Timely access plays a vital role in an individual’s health and wellness. This bill will help reduce delays in identifying an available provider by disclosing to enrollees that they should contact the health plan if they need assistance and establishing a standardized response time. It is for these reasons MHAC supports AB 787 (Papan) 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 1230 (BONTA) Expulsion Procedure – Support

June 27th, 2025

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

RE: CAYEN Support for AB 1230 (Bonta)

Dear Chair Pérez,   

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support AB 1230 (Bonta), legislation that would strengthen the statutes governing rehabilitation plans for expelled students, help facilitate these students successful return to school, and support school district planning regarding expulsion programs. 

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 and substance use 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. Harm reduction policies have shown to support youth significantly in addressing their behavioral health challenges and reducing criminalization.

In the 2023-24 school year, more than 4,000 California students were expelled from school, many of them among our most vulnerable student populations, with significant over-representations of Black and Latinx students. Substance abuse is known to be a significant contributor to disciplinary action and expulsion.

Current law offers only limited guidance to school districts regarding the development of rehabilitation plans to support the successful return of expelled students to their home district school or appropriate alternative. At present, plans may fail to address specific behaviors that led to expulsion or may not be tailored to the specific needs of the expelled students. Currently, plans may require services the student must complete at the expense of the family or include community service requirements without access to transportation.

To hold students accountable for expulsion-related behavior, while also strengthening pathways for their return to their home district school or appropriate alternative, it is crucial to develop meaningful expulsion rehabilitation plans.  AB 1230 will support improved outcomes for expelled students by requiring that rehabilitation plans address the behavior leading to the expulsion, include services responsive to the student’s needs, and provide information regarding program enrollment and readmission.

For these reasons, CAYEN supports AB 1230 (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 602 (HANEY) Postsecondary Education Substance Use Harm Reduction Policy – Support

June 27th, 2025

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

RE: MHAC Support for Assembly Bill 602 (Haney)

Dear Chair Pérez,   

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is pleased to support AB 602 (Haney), legislation that would establish a harm reduction approach to supporting students who are experiencing substance use crises by protecting them from punitive academic disciplinary policies.

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.  People experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis need to be able to seek help without fear of repercussions.

For youth, colleges and universities can impose various punishments on students found with drugs or involved in overdose incidents. While some CSU and UC campuses have medical amnesty policies, most only protect students in alcohol-related emergencies, not drug overdoses. Additionally, a disciplinary record can make it harder to transfer, graduate, or find a job, as many employers and professional licensing boards ask about academic misconduct.

The inconsistent implementation of these policies creates confusion and fear, leaving students afraid to call 911 in life-or-death situations. No student should have to choose between saving a life and risking their future. Without a clear, statewide policy, students fear severe consequences for seeking medical help, leading to dangerous delays in life-or-death situations. This bill will protect students involved in overdose emergencies by ensuring they are fully shielded from academic penalties.

This bill guarantees that neither the student experiencing an overdose nor bystanders who summon help will face any academic consequences. Students will no longer be punished for surviving an overdose, and the fear of severe academic penalties will no longer prevent them from seeking life-saving assistance. It is for these reasons MHAC supports AB 602 (Haney) 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 kvicari@mhac.org or our Public Policy Coordinator, Danny Thirakul, at dthirakul@mhac.org.

In Community,   

Karen Vicari
Director of Public Policy

AB 1487 (ADDIS) The Two-Spirit, Transgender, Gender Nonconforming, and Intersex Wellness and Equity Fund – Support

June 27th, 2025

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

Re: Support for Assembly Bill 1487 (Addis)

Dear Chair Menjivar, 

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment (LIVE) is pleased to support AB 1487 (Addis), legislation that would rename the Transgender, Gender Nonconforming, and Intersex (TGI) Wellness and Equity Fund to include Two-Spirit peoples and incorporates grants specific to Indigenous and Two-Spirit community members.

LIVE is a program of changemakers that celebrates LGBTQ+ diversity and creates a more inclusive world where LGBTQ+ community members can live authentically. LIVE creates positive change by uplifting and empowering individuals to bolster their voices in policy, stigma reduction, and unifying communities. LIVE is committed to advocating for the health, wellness, and rights of the LGBTQ+ community, ensuring that all individuals can thrive without facing discrimination or barriers to their livelihood.   

The TGI Wellness and Equity Fund exists to increase the capacity of health care professionals, providing gender affirming care, facilitating therapeutic arts programs, and assisting, identifying, and referring TGI people to access supportive housing. This bill expands these opportunities and supports to Two-Spirit individuals and the Indigenous community. Additionally, it would provide Workforce development training for Two-Spirit, Transgender, Gender Nonconforming, and Intersex (2TGI) individuals, resettlement and social integration programs 2TGI asylees and immigrants, and diversion programs and outreach to transitional age 2TGI youth.

Given the attacks on the 2TGI community from the federal administration, California cannot become complacent. Data from the US Transgender Population Health Survey indicates that transgender individuals experience more poor mental and physical health days per month than cisgender individuals. In addition, according to the Advocates for Trans Equality, 1 in 5 transgender people have experienced homelessness.

This bill makes significant investments in resources, services, and programs for 2TGI individuals and youth at a time when the LGBTQ+ community faces consistent threats to their livelihood and access to essential supports and services. It is for these reasons that LIVE supports AB 1487 (Addis) and asks for your “Aye” vote. If you have any questions, or if LIVE can provide assistance on this bill or any other legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me at agaribaymena@mhac.org or our Public Policy Coordinator, Danny Thirakul, at dthirakul@mhac.org.

In Community,  

Anthony Garibay-Mena 
LGBTQ+ Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment 
Program Manager 

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

June 16, 2025

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

RE: Support for Assembly Bill 489 (Bonta)

Dear Chair Ashby,   

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support Assembly Bill 489 (Bonta), which would prohibit entities from using artificial intelligence (AI) or generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) 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 or GenAI 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 expanding in California and 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 a 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@mhac.org.  

Sincerely,  

Danny Thirakul 
California Youth Empowerment Network 
Public Policy Coordinator 

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

July 1st, 2025

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

RE: Support for AB 512 (Harabedian)

Dear Chair Menjivar,   

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 supports or services, 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 other behavioral health legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me at kvicari@mhac.org or our Public Policy Coordinator, Danny Thirakul, at dthirakul@mhac.org.

In Community,

Karen Vicari|
Director of Public Policy
Mental Health America of California 

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

April 14th, 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.

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.

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 3rd, 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 3rd, 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 4th, 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