Mental health: Statewide Director of Crisis Services.

Existing law, the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, authorizes, among other things, the involuntary commitment and treatment of persons with specified mental health disorders and the appointment of a conservator of the person, of the estate, or of both, for a person who is gravely disabled as a result of a mental health disorder. The act is administered by the Director of Health Care Services. This bill would require the director to appoint a full-time Statewide Director of Crisis Services. The bill would require the Statewide Director of Crisis Services to monitor, support, and coordinate with support providers, with the goal of having a comprehensive crisis care system, as specified, and coordinate with the Department of Managed Health Care, the Department of Insurance, and other departments, agencies, and entities, as necessary, to support and advocate for the creation and continued existence of a comprehensive, integrated, and reliable network of services. The bill would also specify the duties of the Statewide Director of Crisis Services, which would include various tasks relating to behavioral health crisis care in the state including, among other things, coordinating behavioral health programs and services statewide to ensure continuity of services and access points across county lines, other geographic boundaries, or both, and to promote and enhance cross-agency information exchange and resource sharing. The bill would authorize the Statewide Director of Crisis Services to undertake other related activities that they deem necessary to accomplish their duties. The bill would require the Director of Health Care Services to ensure that the Statewide Director of Crisis Services has the resources necessary to achieve the duties of the position.