Mental Health Services Act: innovative programs.

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 and requires counties to spend those funds as specified. As part of the MHSA, existing law requires counties to engage in specified planning activities, including creating and updating a 3-year program and expenditure plan through a stakeholder process. Existing law authorizes counties to spend 5% of MHSA money on innovative programs, upon approval of the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission. Existing law authorizes the MHSA to be amended by a 23 vote of the Legislature if the amendments are consistent with, and further the purposes of, the MHSA. This bill would amend the MHSA by authorizing counties, until January 1, 2025, to expend unencumbered innovative program funds to expand a program implementing the full-service partnership model, including those that prioritize unserved or underserved populations that typically receive services through innovative programs. The bill would require, prior to expending the funds, that the county mental health program seek approval from the commission and that the county board of supervisors adopt specified findings. The bill would require that the commission approve or deny the request to use funds within 45 days of receiving it. The bill would require a county mental health program using funds pursuant to these provisions to report annually to the commission, as specified. This bill would state the finding and declaration of the Legislature that this change is consistent with, and furthers the intent of, the MHSA.