BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 1018 Page 1 ASSEMBLY THIRD READING AB 1018 (Cooper) As Amended May 28, 2015 Majority vote ------------------------------------------------------------------- |Committee |Votes |Ayes |Noes | | | | | | | | | | | |----------------+------+--------------------+----------------------| |Health |18-0 |Bonta, Maienschein, | | | | |Bonilla, Burke, | | | | |Chávez, Chiu, | | | | |Gomez, Gonzalez, | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Roger Hernández, | | | | |Lackey, Nazarian, | | | | |Patterson, | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Ridley-Thomas, | | | | |Rodriguez, | | | | |Santiago, | | | | |Steinorth, | | | | |Thurmond, Wood | | | | | | | |----------------+------+--------------------+----------------------| |Appropriations |17-0 |Gomez, Bigelow, | | | | |Bonta, Calderon, | | | | |Chang, Daly, | | AB 1018 Page 2 | | |Eggman, Gallagher, | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Eduardo Garcia, | | | | |Gordon, Holden, | | | | |Jones, Quirk, | | | | |Rendon, Wagner, | | | | |Weber, Wood | | | | | | | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Requires the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and the California Department of Education to convene a joint task force to examine the delivery of mental health services to children eligible for Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment services and for services required by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as specified. FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, this bill would have one-time administrative costs to DHCS, likely under $100,000 (General Fund/federal) to staff support for a stakeholder workgroup. COMMENTS: Schools are a main provider of mental health services for children in California. The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was adopted in 1975 to guarantee children with disabilities a right to public education in the least restrictive setting. In California, the federal IDEA mandate to provide special education services is administered by local school districts and local education agencies. Special education students may be eligible for health care services, including mental health services, in specific IDEA disability categories. Mental health services provided to special education students include counseling and guidance, psychological services, parental counseling and training, and residential placement, among others. AB 1018 Page 3 The Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) is a Medi-Cal benefit for individuals under the age of 21 who have full-scope Medi-Cal eligibility. This benefit allows for periodic screenings to determine health care needs and based upon the identified health care need and diagnosis, treatment services are provided. EPSDT services include all services otherwise covered by Medi-Cal and EPSDT beneficiaries can receive additional medically necessary services. EPSDT mental health services are Medi-Cal services that correct or improve mental health problems that have been determined by a physician, psychologist, counselor, social worker or other health or social services provider. EPSDT provides eligible children access to a range of mental health services that include, but are not limited to: 1)Mental health assessment; 2)Collateral contracts; 3)Therapy; 4)Rehabilitation; 5)Mental health services; 6)Medication support services; 7)Day rehabilitation; day treatment intensive; 8)Crisis intervention/stabilization; 9)Targeted case management; and, AB 1018 Page 4 10)Therapeutic behavioral services. Analysis Prepared by: Paula Villescaz / HEALTH / (916) 319-2097 FN: 0000823