Maternal 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, funds a system of county mental health plans for the provision of mental health services. The MHSA establishes the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission to oversee various mental health programs funded by the act and the continuously appropriated Mental Health Services Fund to fund various county mental health programs. The MHSA may be amended by a 23 vote of each house of the Legislature if the amendment is consistent with, and furthers the intent of, the act. The Legislature may clarify procedures and terms of the act by majority vote. This bill would require each county to submit to the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission by January 31 of each year a report describing how the county is using moneys allocated to the county from the Mental Health Services Fund to address maternal mental health issues. The bill would require the commission to post on its internet website the reports submitted by the counties. By imposing new duties on the counties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also declare that it clarifies procedures and terms of the MHSA. 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.