Position Category: Assembly Bill

AB 461 (RAMOS) Student Safety Fentanyl Test Strips – Support

March 29, 2023

The Honorable James Ramos
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0045

RE: Support for Assembly Bill 461 (Ramos)

Dear Assembly Member Ramos:

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support Assembly Bill 461 (Ramos), which would request the Regents of the University of California and require the governing board of each community college district and the Trustees of the California State University to provide information about the use and location of fentanyl test strips as part of established campus orientations, notify students of the presence and location of fentanyl test strips, and require that each campus health center stock and distribute fentanyl test strips.

The California Youth Empowerment Network (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.  

The increasing rate of Fentanyl overdose and poisoning among youth requires substantial investments in prevention, outreach, and engagement from community-based organizations. Accessibility to local resources and services can decrease the likelihood of an overdose or poisoning from occurring. Assembly Bill 461 focuses on outreach and engagement on local colleges campuses informing the existence of fentanyl testing strips and requiring campuses to supply them through their campus health centers.  In addition, the ready availability of fentanyl test strips on college campuses will save the lives of students who innocently buy medications or substances that have been poisoned with fentanyl.

For these reasons, we SUPPORT Assembly Bill 461. If you or your staff have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org, or our Interim Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari at kvicari@mhacofca.org.

In Community,

Danny Thirakul
Public Policy Coordinator
California Youth Empowerment Network

AB 665 (CARRILLO) Consent Mental Health Services – Support

May 31, 2023

The Honorable Wendy Carrillo
California State Assembly 
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0052

RE: Support for AB 665 (Carrillo)

Dear Assembly Member Carrillo:

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to supportAssembly Bill 665 (Carrillo), legislation which removes the requirement that a minor, 12 years of age or older, must present a danger of serious physical or mental harm to themselves or to others or be the alleged victim of incest or child abuse to consent to mental health services and supports. Additionally, it requires the professional person treating or counseling the minor to consult with the minor before determining whether involvement of the minor’s parent or guardian would be inappropriate.

CAYEN is a youth-led statewide network comprised of Transitional Age Youth (TAY) Action Teams and CAYEN Board members which engage, empowers and represents 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.  

There is a growing need to expand mental health services for youth. However, many of us are restricted from consenting to mental health services or counseling unless we fall under very specific conditions. These conditions only apply to a subset population of youth who want mental health services or counseling and would exclude youth experiencing behavioral health challenges such as anxiety, depression, or bipolarism. Assembly Bill 665 would remove those conditions and increase access to mental health services and counseling for minors.

For these reasons, we support AB 665. If you or your staff have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org, or our Interim Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari at kvicari@mhacofca.org.

In Community,

Danny Thirakul
Public Policy Coordinator
California Youth Empowerment Network

AB 957 (WILSON) The TGI (Transgender, Gender-Diverse, Intersex) Empowerment Act – Support

May 31, 2023

The Honorable Lori D. Wilson
State Assembly
1021 O St., Suite 5150
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE:SUPPORT — Assembly Bill 957 (Wilson)

Dear Assembly Member Wilson:

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support Assembly Bill 957 (Wilson), legislation which would require the court to strongly consider that affirming a minor’s gender identity is in the best interest of the child if a nonconsenting parent objects to a name change to conform to the minor’s gender identity.

The California Youth Empowerment Network (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.  

Our transgender youth go on a long journey towards self-discovery. It can be extremely difficult to be one’s authentic self under scrutiny of classmates, friends, and family members. A step someone would take towards reaffirming one’s gender identity is by changing their name. However, sometimes the parent or guardian will actively oppose all attempts of gender reaffirming care causing undue harm to our transgender youth such as but not limited to anxiety, depression, and thoughts of suicide. Assembly Bill 957 would require the courts to consider reaffirming a youth’s gender identity as it is in the youth’s best interest when one parent does not consent to a child’s name and gender marker change. This, in turn, will help to protect and improve the mental health of these transgender youth.

For these reasons, we support Assembly Bill 957. If you or your staff have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org, or our Interim Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari at kvicari@mhacofca.org.

In Community,

Danny Thirakul
Public Policy Coordinator
California Youth Empowerment Network

AB 432 (BAUER-KAHAN) Improve insurance coverage and continuing medical education for menopause – Support

September 15th, 2025

The Honorable Gavin Newsom 
California State Governor 
1021 O Street, Suite 9000 
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Request for Signature of Assembly Bill 432 (Bauer-Kahan)

Dear Governor Newsom,   

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is pleased to support Assembly Bill 432 (Bauer-Kahan), legislation that would require health plans to cover services for the evaluation and treatment of perimenopause and menopause.

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. In alignment with our mission, MHAC supports expanding coverage of physical health care to prevent related mental health challenges from developing.

Women going through menopause can see shifts in their hormone levels, putting them at elevated risk for depression and anxiety. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, between 45% and 60% of women experience depression during menopause.[1] Expanding coverage for perimenopause and menopause services would allow women to access care in a timely manner, reducing the risk of associated mental health challenges. This bill ensures that health plans will cover these services, leading to improved mental health outcomes for women.

It is for these reasons MHAC supports AB 432 (Bauer-Kahan) and asks for your signature. 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
Mental Health America of California

[1] Spencer, E. D., & Witkin, M. (2025, April 1). Menopause and mental health: Understanding the connection and recommendations for treatment | anxiety and depression association of america, ADAA. https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer/menopause-and-mental-health

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

September 16th, 2025

The Honorable Gavin Newsom 
California State Governor 
1021 O Street, Suite 9000 
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: CAYEN Request for Signature of AB 1230 (Bonta)

Dear Governor Newsom,   

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is requesting your signature of AB 1230 (Bonta), legislation that would strengthen the statutes governing rehabilitation plans for expelled students, the facilitation of these student’s successful return to school, and school district planning support 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 been 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, 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 signature. 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

September 5th, 2025

The Honorable Gavin Newsom
California State Governor
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Request for Signature of Assembly Bill 602 (Haney)

Dear Governor Newsom,   

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. 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. 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 that MHAC supports AB 602 (Haney) and asks for your signature. If you have any questions, or if MHAC can provide any assistance on this bill or any behavioral health policies, 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

September 16th, 2025

The Honorable Gavin Newsom
California State Governor
1021 O Street, Suite 9000

Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: LIVE Request for Signature of AB 1487 (Addis)

Dear Governor Newsom, 

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment (LIVE) requests your signature for 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 for 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[KV1]  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 signature. 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

September 10th, 2025

The Honorable Gavin Newsom
California State Governor
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Request for Signature of Assembly Bill 489 (Bonta)

Dear Governor Newsom,   

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 claims or suggests 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 access to youth who are more technologically capable, safeguards are necessary 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. The 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 signature. 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

September 17th, 2025

The Honorable Gavin Newsom  
California State Governor  
1021 O Street, Suite 9000  
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Request for Signature of AB 512 (Harabedian)

Dear Governor Newsom, 

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 signature. 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