BILL ANALYSIS
Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
SB1534 (Perata)
Hearing Date:5/25/00 Amended:5/3/00
Consultant: George Cate Policy Vote:H&HS 5-2
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BILL SUMMARY:
SB 1534 requires counties to increase the number of
patients' rights advocates for mental health patients, and
revises the scope of responsibilities of county advocates
and their authority to refer complaints to government
agencies. This bill also revises the rights of advocates
for access to records and other information under certain
circumstances. In addition, should any county not meet the
ratio of providing at least one patients' rights advocate
for each 250,000 people in its population, this measure
requires the Director of Mental Health to contract for
these services and the county to pay for them.
Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
Major Provisions 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03
Fund
Advocates 4,300 8,600 8,600General
System changes Minor General
STAFF COMMENTS:
SUSPENSE FILE
Preliminary estimates from the Department of Mental Health
(DMH) indicate the need for approximately 140 new advocates
to meet the staffing ratio in SB 1534, statewide. This
translates to an annual cost of about $8.6 million General
Fund, because it would be a local mandated program and
qualify for reimbursement. There are also minor costs
relating to the other provisions in the bill.
The Governor's May Revision of the budget contains a $50
million General Fund augmentation for unspecified
enhancements to mental health services.
Author's proposed amendments would eliminate patient
advocate/population ratios.