CBHPC Advocacy and Legislation
Back to CBHPC Home Page
The CBHPC advocates for children with serious emotional disturbances and adults and older adults with serious mental illness. The Policy & Legislation Committee discusses and decides what legislation to take action on and periodically updates our Policy Platform which is a dynamic document used to guide our legislative efforts. Our CBHPC Year-End Legislative Reports page has information on legislative positions taken each calendar year.
In
addition to responding to active legislation, we advocate for appropriate funding and work with our collateral partners to protect Behavioral Health funds including Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funds.
Behavioral Health Transformation (Proposition 1)
Governor Gavin Newsom, in partnership with Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman, proposed an initiative to amend the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin proposed Assembly Bill 531 to establish the Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond. These two bills,
Senate Bill 326 and
Assembly Bill 531, created the language for the ballot initiative referred to as Proposition 1.
In March of 2024, Californians voted to pass Proposition 1 to modernize the behavioral health delivery system. The Council continues to track the proposition, now referred to as the Behavioral Health Transformation, and advocate on behalf of the behavioral constituency. The Council is committed to supporting the successful implementation of the Behavioral Health Transformation by using the expertise of our Council Members and persons with lived experience to make policy and regulation recommendations. Written recommendations to date are linked below.
Behavioral Health Services Act Recommendations
Behavioral Health Bond Recommendations (Housing)
For up to date information on the Behavioral Health Transformation visit the DHCS Behavioral Health Transformation page.
To learn more about California's efforts to transform our mental health and Substance Use Disorder system visit Mental Health for All.
Peer Certification
As part of the Council's commitment to supporting Peer Certification, the former Quality Improvement Committee gathered information and heard presentations from advocacy groups and provider groups throughout 2014. The findings were distilled in its report "Peer Certification: What Are We Waiting For?". The Council continued to advocate for Peer Certification alongside several other behavioral health organizations. SB 803 was finally signed into law in 2020.
The Council, through the Workforce and Employment Committee, made recommendations on SB 803 implementation and continues to track Peer Certification progress.
Adult Residential Facilities
The Legislation Committee identified a need for increasing access to appropriately staffed and maintained Adult Residential Facilities (ARFs) in California for adults (including older adults) with mental illness, as outlined in the 2018 Adult Residential Facilities (ARFs) Issue paper. The Council continues to advocate for appropriate funding for ARFs.
COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the already existing mental health and addiction workforce crisis, compelling the Council to advocate for this issue at the Federal level in addition to our typical state advocacy.
Funding Requests
The Council has a long-standing commitment to advocating for appropriate funding for California's public behavioral health system. Our efforts include advocating for an adequate behavioral health workforce and partnering with other organizations to support requests for funding when needed.
Resources
Below are some legislative resources that may be helpful:
