Position Category: Assembly Bill

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

June 6th, 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 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 

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

June 16th, 2025 

The Honorable Jesse Arreguín
Senate Public Safety Committee
1020 N Street, Room 545
Sacramento, CA 95814

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

Dear Chair Arreguín,   

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.

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. 

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 supports and services 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@mhac.org.  

Sincerely,  

Danny Thirakul 
California Youth Empowerment Network 
Public Policy Coordinator 

AB 539 (SCHIAVO) Extended Health Care Authorizations – Support

June 11th, 2025

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

RE: Support for AB 539 (Schiavo)

Dear Chair Menjivar,

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 or throughout the course of treatment if less than a year.

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 supports or services, 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 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 

AB 678 (LEE) LGBTQ+ Safe and Inclusive Housing – Support

June 23rd, 2025

The Honorable Jesse Arreguín
Senate Human Services Committee
1020 N Street, Room 521
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: LIVE Support for Assembly Bill 678 (Lee)

Dear Chair Arreguín, 

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment (LIVE) is pleased to support AB 678 (Lee), legislation that would require the California Interagency Council on Homelessness to coordinate with LGBTQ+ housing providers, nonprofits, advocates, and researchers to recommend policies and best practices for improving services for LGBTQ+ people experiencing homelessness.

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 raise their voices in policymaking, stigma reduction, and unifying community. 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.   

Affordability, discrimination, race, and ethnicity are some of the primary challenges the LGBTQ+ community faces when attempting to secure stable and safe housing. LGBTQ+ individuals are twice as likely as non-LGBTQ people to be unhoused.[1] To better support the LGBTQ+ community and address these challenges, California must collaborate with and center the lived experience of the community in the delivery of education, training, resources, and collect data to prevent discrimination, harassment, and violence.

This bill will include LGBTQ+ serving organizations, individuals, and advocates in the creation of best practices and culturally competent services. It is for these reasons that LIVE supports AB 678 (Lee) 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 

[1] thisisloyal.com, L. |. (2024, October 31). Housing is an LGBTQ issue. Williams Institute.

AB 554 (GONZALEZ) HIV Prevention – Support

April 22, 2025

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

Re: LIVE Support for Assembly Bill 554 (González)

Dear Chair Bonta, 

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment (LIVE) is pleased to support AB 554 (González), legislation that would prohibit health plans from requiring prior authorization, step therapy, or any other protocol designed to delay treatment for HIV/AIDS prevention drugs, devices, and products.

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 community. 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 California Department of Public Health recorded in their 2022 HIV Surveillance Report that 142,772 people were living with HIV.[1] Men who have sex with men (MSM) were identified as a category of people at high risk of transmission of HIV. Access to HIV prevention drugs, devices, and other products is essential to reducing transmission and improving public health and safety for all. This bill ensures health plans cannot delay access to these vital prevention services and supports.

By reducing barriers to timely access, people living with HIV will be able to receive care in a timely manner. It is for these reasons that LIVE supports AB 554 (González) 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 

[1] California HIV Surveillance Report – 2022. California Department of Public Health . (n.d.).

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: CAYEN Support for Assembly Bill 602 (Haney)

Dear Chair Pérez,   

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support AB 602 (Haney), legislation that would establish a harm reduction approach to supporting students in post-secondary education institutions who use substances.

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.   

Disciplinary procedures disproportionately impact students of color when substance use among White students are just as high if not higher than their African American and Hispanic counterparts.[1] This unjust application can be remedied by focusing on how to support every student instead of how to punish them. This bill ensures that students won’t be disciplined for seeking medical attention if they are experiencing a drug overdose or seeking medical assistance for someone else experiencing a drug-related overdose. In addition, this bill would require schools to assign an activity to the student, such as participating in meetings with a school counselor or attending a drug education group to ensure proper support for the student without additional sanctions.  

This bill empowers students to freely seek help during a substance use emergency without fear of punishment, while ensuring school can connect them to supportive services. For these reasons, CAYEN supports AB 602 (Haney) 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] McCabe, S. E., Morales, M., Cranford, J. A., Delva, J., McPherson, M. D., & Boyd, C. J. (2007). Race/ethnicity and gender differences in drug use and abuse among college students. Journal of ethnicity in substance abuse, 6(2), 75–95.

AB 932 (IRWIN) Sex and Gender Inclusion in Community Youth Athletics Programs – Support

June 24th, 2025

The Honorable Thomas Umberg
Senate Judiciary Committee
1021 O Street, Room 3240
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: LIVE Support for Assembly Bill 932 (Irwin)

Dear Chair, 

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment (LIVE) is pleased to support AB 932 (Irwin), legislation that would prohibit schools, cities, and other municipalities from discriminating against a person based on sex or gender in their access to parks, schools, and recreation facilities and resources.

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 community. 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 transgender community faces discrimination in a variety of ways such as but not limited to access to healthcare, housing, and other essential services. They can also face daily scrutiny and discrimination when attempting to use public facilities such as athletic courts, gymnasiums, recreational rooms, and most commonly restrooms. This bill prohibits municipalities from discriminating against people based on sex or gender, ensuring equal access to facilities and resources.  

People have a right to recreation and education in which sex and gender are not barriers to access. It is for these reasons that LIVE supports AB 932 (Irwin) 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 1032 (HARABEDIAN) Coverage for Behavioral Health Visits – Support

July 1st, 2025

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

RE: MHAC Support for Assembly 1032 (Harabedian)

Dear Chair Menjivar,   

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is pleased to support AB 1032 (Harabedian), legislation that will allow health plan enrollees to be reimbursed for up to 12 visits with a behavioral health provider if they reside in a county where a state of emergency has been declared due to wildfires. This bill would also require health plans to notify enrollees of their eligibility and ensure these benefits would not be subject to utilization review.

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.   

During moments of crisis, especially ones brought about from natural disasters such as wildfires, access to proper support and services can be extremely difficult. The recent Los Angeles fires have displaced hundreds of thousands of people without proper access to critical mental health and substance use supports. The American Addiction Centers notes that natural disasters often lead to increased substance use.[1] As displaced individuals attempt to access mental health and substance use supports and services, cost and insurance coverage should not prevent them from accessing care.

This bill ensures that individuals who experience a crisis due to a natural disaster can receive critical care without cost becoming a barrier to continuity of care. It is for these reasons MHAC supports AB 1032 (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

[1] Stacy Mosel, L. M. S. W. (2025, April 4). The impact of natural disaster on Substance Use Disorders: AAC. American Addiction Centers.

AB 1034 (ÁVILA FARÍAS) Including Youth Mental Health in Teacher Preparation Programs – Support

April 23rd, 2025

The Honorable Al Muratsuchi
Assembly Education Committee
1020 N Street, Room 159
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: CAYEN Support for AB 1034 (Ávila Farías)

Dear Chair Muratsuchi,   

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 provide support before their mental health or substance use challenges 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.