California: Governor Newsom’s Mental Health Package Moves Through the Legislature
The Californer/10252792

SACRAMENTO ~ Today, Governor Newsom's historic mental health legislative package took another step forward in the California State Legislature. The two-bill package modernizes the State's behavioral health care system and includes a $4.68 billion bond to build 10,000 new behavioral health beds and housing units to meet current and future needs of Californians.

The Assembly Appropriations Committee passed Senate Bill 326, authored by Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton), which will modernize the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) to the new Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA). The Senate Appropriations Committee passed Assembly Bill 531, authored by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), which proposes a $4.68 Billion bond to build 10,000 new behavioral health beds and supportive housing units across California.

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Governor Newsom expressed his enthusiasm for the reform saying, "This reform will bring much needed accountability currently lacking at the local and state level, increased transparency and visibility into the whole mental health and addiction treatment system, and a modernized focus to address today's crises. We are working hand-in-hand with families, experts, advocates, local officials, and more to help all Californians in need of mental health or substance use disorders treatment and support."

The package continues to move through the Legislative process with AB 531 going to the Senate Floor and SB 326 going to the Assembly Floor. In response to Governor Newsom's proposed MHSA reform & bond there has been positive feedback from kids groups, counties & more as well as an analysis highlighting its crucial need. This proposed transformation of California's Behavioral Health Care System is being met with enthusiasm from all sides as it seeks to provide much needed accountability at both local & state levels as well as increased transparency into mental health & addiction treatment systems.

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