Governor Newsom’s Mental Health Package Moves Through the Legislature

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Governor Newsom’s legislative package modernizing the Mental Health Services Act (SB 326) and proposing a $4.68 billion bond (AB 531) to build behavioral health beds and housing units passed off of the Appropriations Committee’s Suspense File today.

 

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.

WHAT GOVERNOR NEWSOM SAID: “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.”

WHAT COMES NEXT: The package continues to move through the Legislative process. AB 531 will go to the Senate Floor, and SB 326 will go to the Assembly Floor.

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