Position Category: Assembly Bill

AB 2161 (Arambula) Early Psychosis Intervention Plus Program – Support

May 31, 2024

The Honorable Joaquin Arambula
California State Assembly
1021 O Street, Suite 6130
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Support for AB 2161 (Arambula)

Dear Assemblymember Arambula, 

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is pleased to support Assembly Bill 2161, legislation which would require the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission and the State Department of Health Care Services to create a strategic plan to achieve specific goals, including improving the understanding of psychosis. Additionally, it would seek to partner with the University of California to develop a plan to establish the Center for Mental Health Wellness and Innovations to promote the widespread availability of evidence-based practices to improve behavioral health 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 through voluntary services that are delivered in their local community with compassion and respect for everyone’s dignity and autonomy.  We are proud to support early psychosis and mood disorder detection, enabling the state to invest in voluntary services and support before crises arise.

Early interventions can lead to significant long-term health benefits. Upstream preventative services have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the need for inpatient care, allowing individuals to remain in their local communities, closer to home. Furthermore, providing resources and services as early as possible helps support children and youth development to better manage their mental health challenges leading to more productive and full lives.

For these reasons we support AB 2161 (Arambula). 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 or our Public Policy Director, Karen Vicari, at kvicari@mhaofca.org.      

In Community, 

Heidi L. Strunk 
President & CEO

AB 2142 (Haney) Therapy in Correctional Facilities – Support

March 28, 2024

The Honorable Kevin McCarty
Chair, Assembly Committee on Public Safety
California State Assembly
1020 N Street, Room 111
Sacramento, CA 95814

Subject: Support for AB 2142 (Haney)  

Dear Assemblymember McCarty,

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support AB 2142 (Haney), legislation which would create a pilot program at select prisons to ensure that behavioral health therapy is accessible to incarcerated people who do not have a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) severe mental health disorder classification. As a result, this bill would increase access to behavioral health services to individuals not currently eligible to receive them.   

The California Youth Empowerment Network 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.  Everyone, even TAY who are justice involved, has a right to mental or behavioral health services that could prevent self-harm, improve wellness, and reduce recidivism.

In a 2022 CDCR report, 5% of incarcerated individuals who died by suicide were aged 18 to 25.[1] This percentage rises to 57% among those aged 25 to 44. Prevention and early intervention services can play a crucial role in reducing the incidence of suicide among justice-involved individuals, especially considering that 65% of suicides occur within the first 10 years of incarceration. Therefore, enhancing access to mental and behavioral health services will benefit individuals’ long term and reduce the number of suicides.  

Additionally, 75% of serious mental health challenges begin before the age of 25.[2] Given that incarcerated TAY often have a history that includes Adverse Childhood Experiences and other trauma, it is essential that mental health services be made available and accessible to incarcerated TAY who request those services.

For these reasons, we support AB 2142 and ask for your “Aye” vote. If you or your staff have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org or our Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari at kvicari@mhacofca.org.

In Community,

Danny Thirakul
Public Policy Coordinator
California Youth Empowerment Network

[1] 2022 annual report on suicides and suicide prevention … (n.d.). https://cchcs.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/60/2022-Annual-Report.pdf  

[2] California, S. of. (2024, March 21). Early psychosis intervention plus. MHSOAC. https://mhsoac.ca.gov/initiatives/early-psychosis-intervention-plus/

AB 2142 (Haney)Therapy in Correctional Facilities – Cosponsored

March 28, 2024

The Honorable Kevin McCarty
Chair, Assembly Committee on Public Safety
California State Assembly
1020 N Street, Room 111
Sacramento, CA 95814

Subject: Cosponsor Support for AB 2142 (Haney)

Dear Assemblymember McCarty,

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is pleased to cosponsor AB 2142 (Haney), legislation which would create a pilot program at select prisons to ensure that behavioral health therapy is accessible to incarcerated people who do not have a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) severe mental health disorder classification. As a result, this bill would increase access to behavioral health services to individuals not currently eligible to receive them.  

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. Everyone, even individuals who are justice involved, have a right to recovery and should not be denied behavioral health services that could prevent self-harm, improve wellness and reduce recidivism.

According to a 2022 CDCR report, 45.5% of recorded prison suicides were among the Hispanic population, while 27.9% were among African Americans.[1]  These significant disparities underscore the lack of support reaching our most underserved communities. Furthermore, 67,000 incarcerated Californians have no access to any mental health care at all, rendering them unable to process trauma, work on addiction, and address other behavioral health issues. AB 2142 offers a mechanism to broaden preventive services to these individuals, without being classified as having a serious mental health condition, thereby reducing the likelihood of crises. This preventative measure can help identify and support underserved communities and ensure delivery of culturally responsive support and services. The access to preventive services is essential for addressing the trauma individuals experience before and during incarceration.

For these reasons, we support AB 2142 and ask 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 or our Interim Public Policy Director, Karen Vicari, at kvicari@mhaofca.org.

In Community,

Heidi L. Strunk
President & CEO

[1] 2022 annual report on suicides and suicide prevention … (n.d.). https://cchcs.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/60/2022-Annual-Report.pdf

AB 2051(Bonta) PSYPACT – Support

March 18, 2024

The Honorable Marc Berman

Chair, Assembly Committee on Business and Professions
1020 N Street, Room 379
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Support for AB 2051(Bonta)

Dear Assemblymember Barman,

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support AB 2051 (Bonta), legislation that would establish California as a member of the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT). This compact would allow a psychologist licensed in a state that has joined PSYPACT, to practice telepsychology in other PSYPACT states even if they may not be licensed in that specific state.

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. One area of focus is increasing mental health services and reducing the barriers that make them inaccessible.

Accessing mental health services can be highly challenging for Transitional Age Youth (TAY) pursuing higher education. Each year, tens of thousands of students relocate to and from California for college, disrupting their access to mental health providers. Varied licensure standards across states hinder telepsychology and temporary in-person services across state borders, leaving students and other populations unable to receive care from their preferred providers. AB 2051 aims to dismantle this obstacle by permitting psychologists, authorized through an “E.Passport” from the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) to practice telepsychology across state lines.

Given that over 40 states are already part of PYSPACT, mental health providers in California could broaden their telepsychology practice. Additionally, individuals residing in member states would maintain access to services from their preferred and trusted providers. For these reasons we support AB 2051 (Ramos) and ask for your “Aye” vote. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org.

Sincerely

Danny Thirakul
Public Policy Coordinator

AB 2051 (Bonta) PSYPACT – Sponsor

March 5, 2024

The Honorable Marc Berman, Chair
Assembly Committee on Business and Professions 1020 N Street, Room 379
Sacramento, CA 95814

Subject: AB 2051 (Bonta) PSYPACT – Sponsor

Dear Chair Berman,

Mental Health America of California and the Steinberg Institute are proud to co-sponsor AB 2051 (Bonta) to add California to the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), which will increase Californian’s access to behavioral services at a critical time when we are facing both a mental health crisis and a workforce shortage. We respectfully request your support when this bill comes before you.

Today, nearly one in six Californians is experiencing some form of mental health challenges, but access to care is devastatingly limited. According to a 2018 poll by the California Health Care Foundation and the Kaiser Family Foundation, only 23% of Californians received the mental health services they needed. This disparity between need and access to care is in large part due to the ever- worsening behavioral health workforce shortage.

Due to the workforce shortage, California cannot meet the growing demand for behavioral health services. Attrition across the industry will exacerbate this shortage in the years to come. According to the Steinberg Institute, to meet the growing need for behavioral health services and attrition across the field, California will need to add nearly 375,000 workers over the next decade, or 32,000 workers a year. Specifically, California will need to add approximately 30,000 psychologists to California’s workforce over the next 10 years.

When Californians do find a psychologist, they cannot see them when they are travelling out of state, or if they relocate to another state, disrupting their care. This is critically important for young adults who move out of the state to attend college. The current psychology workforce and existing laws surrounding the practice of psychology do not adequately address or accurately reflect the needs of Californians.

Occupational licensure compacts are one way that we can address the behavioral health workforce shortage and get Californians the care they need now. Through licensure compacts, states establish and agree upon uniform standards that enable multi-state practice. There are currently 15 Occupational Licensure Compacts recognized by the National Center for Interstate Compacts.

PSYPACT, the occupational licensure compact for psychologists, was created by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASSPB) in 2014. To date, 40 states have enacted PSYPACT legislation, joining the compact. By providing a means for psychologists to practice across state lines, PSYPACT increases access to care and allows for continuity of care when patients or providers relocate or travel. Because all compact states enact the same model legislation, PSYPACT promotes cooperation between states and provides a means for telepsychology regulation and consumer protection.

California can’t afford not to join PSYPACT. We must use all tools at our disposal to address our behavioral health workforce shortage and ensure clients have continuity of care. For these reasons, Mental Health America of California and the Steinberg Institute are proud to co-sponsor AB 2051 and respectfully request your support when this bill comes before your committee. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Karen Vicari at kvicari@mhaofca.org and Tara Gamboa-Eastman at tara@steinberginstitute.org.

Sincerely,

Heidi L. Strunk
President & CEO
Mental Health America of California

Tara Gamboa-Eastman
Director of Government Affairs
Steinberg Institute

AB 2007 (Boerner)Transitional Housing for Homeless Youth – Support

April 12, 2024 

The Honorable Alex Lee

Chair, Committee on Human Services
California State Assembly 
1020 N Street, Room 124
Sacramento, CA 95814 

RE: Support for AB 2007

Dear Chair Lee,

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support Assembly Bill 2007 (Boerner), legislation which upon appropriation by the Legislature would establish the Unicorn Homes Transitional Housing for Homeless LGBTQ+ Youth Program for LGBTQ+ youth ages 18 to 14.

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.

We recognize housing as a crucial element in fostering a supportive environment for a youth’s recovery and wellness. This is especially important for our transitional age youth, ages 15 to 26, as 75% of mental health disorders manifest by age 24.[1] AB 2007 aims to support our homeless LGBTQ+ transitional age youth who have additionally experienced an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) of parental abandonment and neglect, with safe and stable housing. 

In addition to housing, this bill aims to support the youth in addressing their adverse experiences with their families, in hopes of reunifying them. For these reasons, we support AB 2002 (Boerner). 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.

In Community,

Danny Thirakul

Public Policy Coordinator

California Youth Empowerment Network

[1] California, S. of. (2024a, March 21). Early psychosis intervention plus. Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission . https://mhsoac.ca.gov/initiatives/early-psychosis-intervention-plus/

AB 2007 (Boerner) Transitional Housing for Homeless Youth – Support

April 12, 2024

The Honorable Alex Lee

Chair, Committee on Human Services
California State Assembly
1020 N Street, Room 124
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Support for AB 2007

Dear Chair Lee,

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is pleased to support Assembly Bill 2007 (Boerner), legislation which upon appropriation by the Legislature would establish the Unicorn Homes Transitional Housing for Homeless LGBTQ+ Youth Program for LGBTQ+ youth ages 18 to 14.

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.

Housing plays a crucial role in fostering a supportive environment for one’s recovery and wellness. This is especially important for our transitional age youth, ages 15 to 26, as 75% of mental health disorders manifest by age 24.[1] AB 2007 aims to support our homeless LGBTQ+ transitional age youth who have additionally experienced an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) of parental abandonment and neglect, with safe and stable housing.

In addition to housing, this bill aims to support the youth in addressing their adverse experiences with their families, in hopes of reunifying them. For this reason, we support AB  2007 (Boerner) and ask 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 or our Public Policy Director, Karen Vicari, at kvicari@mhaofca.org.

In Community,

Heidi L. Strunk
President & CEO

[1] California, S. of. (2024a, March 21). Early psychosis intervention plus. Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission . https://mhsoac.ca.gov/initiatives/early-psychosis-intervention-plus/

AB 1936 (Cervantes) Maternal mental health screenings – Support

April 8, 2024

The Honorable Mia Bonta

Chair, Assembly Committee on Health
California State Assembly
1020 N Street, Room 390
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: Support for AB 1936 (Cervantes)

Dear Chair Bonta, 

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is pleased to support AB 1936 (Cervantes), legislation which would require maternal mental health programs to conduct at least one maternal mental health screening during pregnancy, and at least one additional screening during the first 6 months of the postpartum period.

MHAC is a peer-run organization leading the state in behavioral health public policy and advocacy since 1957. We are committed to assisting and encouraging 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. Our commitment extends to expanding preventative services that help identify potential mental health challenges and the proper support to address them.

Pregnant individuals are vulnerable to such challenges during and after pregnancy, with 1 in 3 pregnant individuals experiencing anxiety or depression.[1] Additionally, 5% to 14% of people who are pregnant or postpartum have suicidal ideations. AB 1936 aims to address these issues by identifying potential challenges during and after pregnancy and ensuring adequate support and services are accessible.

For this reason, we support AB 2670 and ask 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 or our Public Policy Director, Karen Vicari, at kvicari@mhaofca.org. 

In Community,

Heidi L. Strunk 
President & CEO

[1] Maternal and Infant Health Assessment (MIHA) Survey, 2020-2021. Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Division, California Department of Public Health

AB 456 (MAIENSCHEIN) CSU Mental Health Hotlines – Support

March 28, 2023

The Honorable Brian Maienschein
State Assembly
1021 O St., Suite 8320
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Support – AB 456 (Maienschein)

Dear Assembly Member Maienschein:

The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to Support AB 456 (Maienschein), which would require California State University (CSU) and California Community Colleges (CCC) campuses and request University of California (UC) campuses to establish a campus mental health hotline.

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.  

CAYEN members know firsthand how providing mental health services and supports, both on and off campus improves student success and student behavioral health. Between 2018 and 2020 the suicide rate for youth ages 15-24 in California was 8.7 per 100,000. We must do everything we can to reduce these startling statistics. While many campuses already provide mental health services and supports, some campuses do not provide mental health services, leaving many students without a support system during a time of crisis.

Assembly Bill 456 works close the equity gap, ensuring every student will have access to mental health supports in a time of crisis. We believe that this bill empowers our Transitional Age Youth to better live their lives and promote a community of self-care. 

For these reasons, we SUPPORT AB 456. 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 3221 (Pellerin) Department of Managed Health Care: review of records – Support

March 26, 2024

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

Re: AB 3221 (Pellerin) – SUPPORT

Dear Chair Bonta:

Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is writing to express our support of AB 3221 (Pellerin) which will allow the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) to take enforcement action more swiftly and more efficiently when health plans violate the law.

Too often, people with mental health challenges don’t receive the behavioral health care they need, and that they have paid for, in the timely and appropriate manner they are entitled to under the law. California has been at the forefront of passing groundbreaking behavioral health parity (SB 855) and timely access laws (SB 221), which could alleviate this crisis if the Department of Managed Health Care were empowered to take faster, stronger, and more efficient action.

As stated in my testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Mental Health and Addition in August 2022, I have firsthand experience as a family member and employer with care that is frequently delayed seven or more months and often only after incorporating the assistance of DMHC.

Under The Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan of 1975, health care service plans are required to keep their books, records and papers open to inspection by the DMHC director.  DMHC is required to conduct periodic on site medical surveys, publicly report results, and issue final reports after public review. They must also conduct follow-up reviews to evaluate a health plan’s efforts to correct deficiencies. But several of the provisions are outdated, ineffective, or both. Records are not provided electronically, which delays and costs the department, and penalties are not required for failure to provide full records in a timely manner. Additionally, when DMHC seeks approval for actions on behalf of consumers, they are required to go to Superior Court, which is overburdened and less efficient than Administrative law judges.

AB 3221 will allow DMHC to request that health plan records be furnished electronically, making those records faster to receive and easier to review. It will allow DMHC to seek relief on patients’ behalf through an administrative hearing rather than the slower and more burdensome Superior Court hearing process, and empower DMHC’s director to take disciplinary action when a health plan fails to respond to a request for records fully or in a timely manner.

These common-sense changes will allow DMHC to take important enforcement actions more quickly and efficiently, improving compliance with the groundbreaking behavioral health parity and timely access laws California recently enacted.

For all of these reasons, Mental Health America of California supports AB 3221 (Pellerin), and we respectfully request an “AYE” vote.

Sincerely,

Heidi L. Strunk
Chief Executive Officer