Asm. Richard Bloom

(1) Existing law, the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Demonstration Project Act of 2002, known as Laura's Law, requires each county to offer specified mental health programs, unless a county or group of counties opts out by a resolution passed by the governing body, as specified. Existing law, the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, provides for short-term and longer-term involuntary treatment and conservatorships for people who are determined to be gravely disabled. This bill would enact the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act, which would authorize specified people to petition a civil court to create a CARE plan and implement services, to be provided by county behavioral health agencies, to provide behavioral health care, stabilization medication, and housing support to adults who are suffering from schizophrenia spectrum and psychotic disorders and who lack medical decisionmaking capacity. The bill would specify the process by which the petition is filed and reviewed, including requiring the petition to be signed under penalty of perjury, and to contain specified information, including the acts that support the petitioner's belief that the respondent meets the CARE criterion. The bill would also specify the schedule of review hearings required if the respondent is ordered to comply with a one-year CARE plan by the court. The bill would authorize the CARE plan to be extended for up to one year and prescribes the requirement for the graduation plan that is required upon leaving the CARE program. By expanding the crime of perjury and imposing additional duties on the county behavioral health agencies, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would include in the CARE program the respondent's right to have a supporter and counsel at all proceedings. The bill would require the California Health and Human Services Agency, subject to appropriation, to administer the CARE Supporter program, which would make available a trained supporter to each respondent. This bill would authorize the court, at any time during the proceedings if it finds the county not complying with court orders, to fine the county up to $1,000 per day and, if the court finds persistent noncompliance, to appoint a receiver to secure court-ordered care for the respondent at the county's cost. (2) Existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, provides for the licensure and regulation of health care service plans by the Department of Managed Health Care. Existing law requires health care service plans to provide coverage for medically necessary treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. Violation of the Knox-Keene Act is a crime. This bill would require health care service plans to cover the cost of developing an evaluation for CARE services and the provision of all health care services for an enrollee when required or recommended for the enrollee pursuant to a CARE plan, as specified, without cost sharing. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (3) Existing law prohibits a person from being tried or adjudged to punishment while that person is mentally incompetent. Existing law establishes a process by which a defendant's mental competency is evaluated and by which the defendant receives treatment, with the goal of returning the defendant to competency. Existing law suspends a criminal action pending restoration to competency. This bill, for misdemeanor defendants who have been determined to be incompetent to stand trial, would authorize the court to refer the defendant to the CARE program. (4) 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 with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

This measure would recognize March 2022 as Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood Awareness Month.

This measure would proclaim the month of March 2022 as Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month.

This measure would resolve that the Legislature declares March 12, 2022, as National Girl Scout Day.

This measure would proclaim the month of March 2022 as Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month in California.

This measure would recognize February 2022 as Black History Month, urge all citizens to join in celebrating the accomplishments of African Americans during Black History Month, and encourage the people of California to recognize the many talents of African Americans and the achievements and contributions they make to their communities to create equity and equality for education, economics, and social justice. The measure would also recognize the significance in protecting citizens' right to vote and remedying racial discrimination in voting.

This measure would declare February 17, 2022, as PTA Day, commend the National Parent Teacher Association on the occasion of its 125th anniversary, and encourage all California residents to attend and participate in the celebration of this commemorative event.