Behavioral health services: existing and projected needs.

Existing law, the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative Act, requires the State Department of Health Care Services to procure and oversee a vendor to establish and maintain a behavioral health services and supports virtual platform that integrates behavioral health screenings, application-based supports, and direct behavioral health services to children and youth 25 years of age and younger, regardless of payer. Existing law authorizes the department to award competitive grants to expand the community continuum of behavioral health treatment resources. This bill would require the department, commencing January 1, 2024, and at least every 5 years thereafter, to conduct a review of, and produce a report regarding, the current and projected behavioral health care infrastructure and service needs in each region of the state. The bill would require the department to consult with the council of governments, cities, counties, and cities and counties regarding the assumptions and methodology to be used by the department, and would require local governments to provide specified data for the region. The bill would require the department to share this data and its report with the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission. By adding to the duties of local governments, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. 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.