MHAC Priority Legislation

MHAC Position: MHAC Sponsored, Support

Author: Bauer-Kahan

Date: 09/29/2022

Status: Passed

Mental health 988 Crisis Line: The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act designates the 3-digit telephone number “988” as the universal number within the United States for the purpose of the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system operating through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This bill would require California 988 centers, by July 16, 2022, to provide a person experiencing a behavioral health crisis access to a trained counselor by call, and by January 1, 2027, provide access to a trained counselor by call, text, and chat. The bill would require mobile crisis teams, as defined, to respond to any individual in need of immediate suicidal or behavioral health crisis intervention in a timely manner in all jurisdictions, and would require any call made to 911 pertaining to a clearly articulated suicidal or behavioral health crisis to be transferred to a 988 center. The bill would require 988 centers to provide follow-up services to individuals accessing 988 consistent with guidance and policies established by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and within specified timelines. This bill will also establish a monthly fee on mobile phone and landline bills, similar to a fee charged for 911, to fund the 988 system.

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Related Documents

• Bill Fact Sheet

MHAC Position: Support, MHAC Sponsored

Author: Bonta

Date: 04/12/2024

This bill would ratify and approve the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, an interstate compact that is operational under its terms, to facilitate the practice of telepsychology and the temporary in-person, face-to-face practice of psychology across state boundaries.Under this bill, the compact would require this state, as a compact state, to recognize the right of a psychologist, licensed in a compact state in conformance with the compact, to practice telepsychology in other compact states in which the psychologist is not licensed, as provided in the compact. Under the bill, the compact would also require this state to recognize the right of a psychologist, licensed in a compact state in conformance with the compact, to practice temporarily in other compact states in which the psychologist is not licensed, as provided in the compact. Under the bill, the compact would require the board to appoint a commissioner to the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Commission, a joint body with powers and responsibilities as established by the compact, including rulemaking authority, as prescribed.This bill would require the board to comply with the requirements of the compact and to adopt regulations as necessary to implement the compact. Under the bill, a person without a license granted under existing state law, but holding a privilege to practice under the compact, would not be prohibited from engaging in the practice of psychology or representing themselves to be a psychologist.

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MHAC Position: Support, MHAC Sponsored

Author: Haney

Date: 04/17/2024

This bill would require the department to establish a 3-year pilot program at 2 or more institutions that would provide access to specified mental health therapy for those not classified by the department to receive mental health treatment from the institution. The bill would require communications during therapy sessions, as specified, between the incarcerated person and assigned therapist to be confidential. The bill would require the California Correctional Health Care Services to be the custodian of records for treatment records generated under this pilot program. The bill would require the department to report certain information to the fiscal and appropriate policy committees of the Legislature, from March 1, 2025, to March 1, 2027.

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MHAC Position: Support, MHAC Sponsored

Author: Pellerin

Date: 04/18/2024

This bill would recognize the 3rd week of May 2024 as Peer Appreciation Week in California.

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