Mental Health Services Act: centers of excellence.

Existing law contains provisions governing the operation and financing of community mental health services for the mentally disordered in every county through locally administered and locally controlled community mental health programs. Existing law, the Mental Health Services Act, an initiative measure enacted by the voters as Proposition 63 at the November 2, 2004, statewide general election, establishes the Mental Health Services Fund, a continuously appropriated fund, to fund various county mental health programs. Moneys in the fund may only be used for specified purposes, including 5% for certain state administrative costs, which funds are subject to appropriation in the annual Budget Act. The act provides that it may be amended by the Legislature by a 23 vote of each house so long as the amendment is consistent with and furthers the intent of the act, and authorizes the Legislature to amend the act to clarify procedures and terms of the act by majority vote. This bill would require the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, by January 1, 2021, to establish one or more centers of excellence to provide the counties with technical assistance to implement best practices related to elements of the act. The bill would require those centers of excellence to be funded with state administrative funds provided under the act. In implementing these provisions, the bill would require the commission to determine the areas of focus for the centers of excellence, including, but not limited to, the areas of service delivery that need improvement. This bill would declare that this amendment is consistent with and furthers the purposes of the act, thereby requiring a 23 vote.