Mental health.

Existing law, the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) , an initiative measure enacted by the voters as Proposition 63 at the November 2, 2004, statewide general election, establishes the continuously appropriated Mental Health Services Fund to fund various county mental health programs by imposing a tax of 1% on annual incomes above $1,000,000. Under the MHSA, funds are distributed to counties for local assistance, and must be spent for their authorized purpose within 3 years or revert to the state to be deposited into the fund to be reallocated to other counties for the purposes for which the unspent funds were initially allocated to the original county. The MHSA permits amendment by the Legislature by a 23 vote of each house if the amendment is consistent with, and furthers the intent of, the MHSA, and also permits the Legislature to clarify procedures and terms of the MHSA by majority vote. This bill would require a county to develop a plan for the utilization of the reallocated funds with the input of specified stakeholders and to conduct a local review process. The bill would require that consideration be given to using the reallocated funds to provide services to individuals with mental illness who are also experiencing homelessness or who are involved in the criminal justice system and to provide early intervention services to youth. The bill would also require each county to annually report to the Legislature the number of individuals who are experiencing homelessness who are receiving mental health services that are paid for using MHSA funds. By requiring counties to submit a new report, 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 the statutory provisions noted above.