Asm. Jasmeet Bains

Existing law requires the State Department of Public Health to include specified information in any literature that it produces relating to breast cancer, including, but not limited to, information on internet websites of relevant organizations, government agencies, and research institutions where information on mammography alternatives may be obtained. This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to those provisions.

This measure would designate, in perpetuity, the 4th week of January as Data Privacy Week and the last Sunday of January as Data Privacy Day.

Existing law provides the procedure by which a restraining order prohibiting harassment or abuse may be sought by, or on behalf of, specified persons. Existing law prohibits the imposition of a fee for filing a petition that alleges that a person has inflicted or threatened violence against the petitioner, stalked the petitioner, or acted or spoken in any other manner that has placed the petitioner in reasonable fear of violence, and that seeks a protective or restraining order restraining stalking, future violence, or threats of violence. This bill would prohibit a filing fee for a civil harassment petition if the petitioner is 60 years of age or older.

Existing law establishes in the Natural Resources Agency the Department of Water Resources. Existing law, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Reform Act of 2009, declares that the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is a critically important natural resource for California and the nation. This bill would enact the Salinity Intrusion in the Delta Act. The act would require the department to identify strategic locations in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta where barriers could be constructed to combat salinity intrusion that would reduce the need to contaminate fresh water. The bill would require the department to, at a minimum, identify strategic locations in specified areas. The bill would require the department to consult with the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the federal Bureau of Reclamation, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in carrying out these provisions. The bill would require, subject to an appropriation of funds by the Legislature, the department, in consultation with the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the federal Bureau of Reclamation, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to construct, operate, and maintain barriers at the identified strategic locations. The bill would require the department to prioritize construction of barriers that maximize reductions in the need to contaminate fresh water with minimal adverse impact on the environment, native endangered species, and beneficial uses, especially during dry or drought years. The bill would create the Salinity Barrier Construction Fund. The bill would specify that moneys in the fund would be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the department for purposes of the act.

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, including the Adult and Older Adult Mental Health System of Care Act. Existing law authorizes the MHSA to be amended by a 23 vote of the Legislature if the amendments are consistent with and further the intent of the MHSA. This bill would establish within the State Department of Health Care Services an Older Adult Behavioral Health Services Administrator to oversee behavioral health services for older adults. The bill would require that position to be funded with administrative funds from the Mental Health Services Fund. The bill would prescribe the functions of the administrator and their responsibilities, including, but not limited to, developing outcome and related indicators for older adults for the purpose of assessing the status of behavioral health services for older adults, monitoring the quality of programs for those adults, and guiding decisionmaking on how to improve those services. The bill would require the administrator to receive data from other state agencies and departments to implement these provisions, subject to existing state or federal confidentiality requirements. The bill would require the administrator to report to the entities that administer the MHSA on those outcome and related indicators by July 1, 2024, and would require the report to be posted on the department's internet website. The bill would also require the administrator to develop a strategy and standardized training for all county behavioral health personnel in order for the counties to assist the administrator in obtaining the data necessary to develop the outcome and related indicators. By expanding the purposes for which funds from a continuously appropriated fund may be spent, this bill would make an appropriation. This bill would declare that it is consistent with and furthers the intent of the MHSA.

Existing law requires the State Department of Health Care Services to license and regulate adult alcoholism or drug abuse recovery or treatment facilities. Existing law also requires the department to require that an individual providing counseling services within a program be certified by a certifying organization approved by the department. This bill would create, upon appropriation by the Legislature, the Allied Behavioral Health Board within the Department of Consumer Affairs. The bill would require the board to establish regulations and standards for the licensure of alcohol drug counselors, as specified. The bill would authorize the board to collaborate with the Department of Health Care Access and Information regarding behavioral health professions, review sunrise review applications for emerging behavioral health license and certification programs, and refer complaints regarding behavioral health workers to appropriate agencies, as specified. The bill would require an applicant to satisfy certain requirements, including, among other things, possession of a master's degree in alcohol and drug counseling or a related counseling master's degree, as specified. The bill would, commencing 18 months after the board commences approving licenses, impose additional requirements on an applicant, including completion of a supervised practicum from an approved educational institution, and documentation that either the applicant is certified by a certifying organization or the applicant has completed 2,000 hours of postgraduate supervised work experience. The bill would impose requirements related to continuing education and discipline of licensees. The bill would prohibit a person from using the title of "Licensed Alcohol Drug Counselor" unless the person has applied for and obtained a license from the board, and would make a violation of that provision punishable by an administrative penalty not to exceed $10,000. The bill would specify that it does not require a person employed or volunteering at an outpatient treatment program or residential treatment facility certified or licensed by the State Department of Health Care Services to be licensed by the board. The bill would require the board to establish fees for licensure, as specified.

Existing law provides for implementation of the California Plan, which is defined to mean the plan being developed by the Colorado River Board of California, the public agencies represented on that board, and the Director of Water Resources to ensure that California can live within the state's apportionment of Colorado River water. This bill would prohibit the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the Department of Water and Power of the City of Los Angeles from achieving a reduction in, or conservation of, Colorado River water consumption required by an agreement with specified entities through increased water deliveries or imports from other regions of California, including the San Joaquin Valley and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The bill would require the Colorado River Board of California, the Department of Water Resources, and the State Water Resources Control Board to use their existing authority to enforce these provisions. The bill would specify that these provisions apply retroactively to January 1, 2023, and apply to any agreement entered into on or after that date.

Existing law establishes the State Department of Public Health to implement various programs throughout the state relating to public health. This bill would require the State Department of Public Health and the Office of Emergency Services, in coordination with other state agencies as appropriate, to, upon appropriation and as necessary, establish an infant formula stockpile. The bill would require the department to establish guidelines for the procurement, management, and distribution of infant formula, taking into account, among other things, the amount of each type of infant formula that would be required to meet shortages, as specified. The bill would also establish the Infant Formula Advisory Committee to, among other things, make recommendations for the development of guidelines for the procurement, management, and distribution of infant formula, as specified, and advise the development and implementation of the program. The bill would require the committee to provide an annual report to the Legislature with feedback regarding the implementation of the program and updates regarding policy changes and public comments.