BILL NUMBER: AB 2679	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Logue

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2014

   An act to add and repeal Section 5847.5 to the Welfare and
Institutions Code, relating to mental health.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2679, as introduced, Logue. County mental health services:
baseline reports.
   Existing law governs the operation and financing of community
mental health services for the mentally disordered in every county
through locally administered and locally controlled community mental
health programs. Existing law, the Mental Health Services Act, an
initiative measure enacted by the voters as Proposition 63 at the
November 2, 2004, statewide general election, establishes the Mental
Health Services Fund to fund various county mental health programs.
The act requires each county mental health program to prepare and
submit a 3-year program and expenditure plan, to be updated at least
annually, to the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability
Commission within 30 days of adoption.
   This bill would, until January 1, 2025, additionally require the
State Department of Health Care Services, in cooperation with county
mental health directors and appropriate state and county officials,
to develop a baseline report on system quality and access to services
in each county's mental health plan, as specified. The bill would
require the state, on or before July 1, 2015, to issue requirements
for each county to establish baseline reports on system quality and
access to services provided by county mental health plans. The bill
requires the baseline measures to include, among other things, the
number of mental health clients served by category, as specified, and
the identification of service priorities that should be developed or
expanded to meet community needs.
   The bill would require each county, on or before January 1, 2016,
to submit a baseline report to the department on the efficacy of the
county's mental health plan, as specified, for the 2014-15 fiscal
year. The bill would require the report to include expenditures from
all revenue streams. The bill would require the department, on or
before June 30, 2016, to report to the Legislature on the baseline
measure of system quality and access to services provided by the
county baseline reports. The bill would require counties to submit a
2nd baseline report to the department by January 1, 2020, for the
2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19 fiscal years, and require the
department to again report to the Legislature on the baseline measure
of system quality and access to services provided by the county
baseline reports on or before June 30, 2020. By requiring additional
reports from counties, this bill would impose a state-mandated local
program.
   The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates
determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these
statutory provisions.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.


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

  SECTION 1.  It is the intent of the Legislature to establish a
baseline report that shall inform public officials and stakeholders
of each county's accessible mental illness treatments and supports,
identified unmet needs, and the status of system integration and
collaboration. This baseline report shall inform future investments
in spending and programs of county mental health plans for
cost-efficient and effective integration of all mental health funding
streams.
  SEC. 2.  Section 5847.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions
Code, to read:
   5847.5.  (a) The State Department of Health Care Services, in
cooperation with county mental health directors and appropriate state
and county officials, shall develop a baseline report of system
quality and access to services in each county's mental health plan.
The baseline report shall include documentation of services funded by
all revenue sources, including county overmatch and any other
sources.
   (b) On or before July 1, 2015, the state shall issue requirements
for each county to establish a baseline report on system quality and
access to services provided by county mental health plans. Baseline
reports shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
   (1) The number of mental health clients served by county mental
health plans that serve individuals who meet diagnostic criteria for
access to county mental health systems, based upon system of care
standards and accepted continuum of care models for children, and
adults and older adults. The number of mental health clients served
shall be categorized by children, adults and older adults, and unmet
need.
   (2) The identification of service priorities that should be
developed or expanded in order to meet community needs.
   (3) Staff-to-client ratios for the majority of outpatient clients,
the number of days a client waits to see the clinician after seeking
treatment, the average wait between physician visits, access to
individual and group therapies, and access to supportive housing.
   (4) A description and the impact of established programs to reduce
crisis-driven spending, such as programs to reduce repeated
hospitalizations, incarcerations, injuries, and deaths.
   (5) For the three most recent years available, the number and
percentage of county jail populations that have a diagnosis of mental
illness, county suicide rates, and increases or reductions in law
enforcement involvement in mental health crisis calls, including the
number of commitments pursuant to Section 5150.
   (6) The percentage and amount of county revenue devoted to the
cost of treatment for individuals in locked facilities.
   (c) (1) On or before January 1, 2016, each county shall, for the
2014-15 fiscal year, submit to the department a baseline report on
the efficacy of the county's mental health care plan, including
county-operated programs and county-contracted services. The report
shall include expenditures from all revenue streams.
   (2) On or before June 30, 2016, the department shall report to the
Legislature on the baseline measure of system quality and access to
services provided by the counties pursuant to paragraph (1). The
report shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the
Government Code.
   (3) The requirement for submitting a report imposed pursuant to
paragraph (2) is inoperative on July 1, 2020, pursuant to Section
10231.5 of the Government Code.
   (d) (1) On or before January 1, 2020, a second baseline report
shall be conducted by counties for the 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, and
2018-19 fiscal years and submitted to the department. The report
shall include the information described in paragraph (1) of
subdivision (c).
   (2) On or before June 30, 2020, the department shall report to the
Legislature on the baseline measure of system quality and access to
services provided by the counties pursuant to paragraph (1). The
report shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the
Government Code.
   (3) The requirement for submitting a report imposed pursuant to
paragraph (2) is inoperative on July 1, 2024, pursuant to Section
10231.5 of the Government Code.
   (e) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2025, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2025, deletes or extends
that date.
  SEC. 3.  If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this
act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local
agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant
to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of
the Government Code.