BILL NUMBER: AB 590	CHAPTERED  10/10/01

	CHAPTER  677
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  OCTOBER 10, 2001
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  OCTOBER 10, 2001
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 31, 2001
	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 28, 2001
	AMENDED IN SENATE  AUGUST 23, 2001
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 31, 2001
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 18, 2001

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Vargas
   (Principal coauthor:  Senator Margett)

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2001

   An act to add Section 5811.2 to the Welfare and Institutions Code,
relating to mental health.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 590, Vargas.  Mental health:  adults and older adults.
   The Adult and Older Adults Mental Health System of Care Act
authorizes each county to implement a mental health system of care
for adults and older adults.  Under the act, the State Department of
Mental Health is responsible for overseeing the development and
implementation of these county systems, including providing training,
consultation, and technical assistance to participating counties.
Existing law requires that the act be implemented only to the extent
that funds are appropriated in the annual Budget Act.
   This bill would encourage the department to provide a mental
health care provider with training and experience in geriatrics to
oversee, monitor, and provide advice to participating counties
regarding services for older adults under the act.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 5811.2 is added to the Welfare and Institutions
Code, to read:
   5811.2.  The department is encouraged to provide a mental health
care provider with training and experience in geriatrics to oversee,
monitor, and provide advice to participating counties regarding
services for older adults under the counties' mental health system of
care developed pursuant to this part.