Mental health.

Existing law authorizes a person in custody who has been charged with, or convicted of, a criminal offense to apply for inpatient or outpatient mental health services. Existing law establishes various grant programs to help local governments provide mental health services, including the primary intervention program and the California Emergency Solutions Grant Program. This bill would, upon appropriation, establish the Mental Health Response and Treatment Challenge Grant Program. The bill would provide that the purpose of the program is to provide a statewide investment program to provide funds and flexibility to cities, counties, cities and counties, or other local governmental agencies that interact with the criminal justice system to develop programs that seek to improve services in 3 areas, as specified. The bill would require the Board of State and Community Corrections to administer the program and award grants on a competitive basis.