AB 2287: Mental Health Services Act: transparency and accountability.
- Session Year: 2017-2018
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2018-04-17
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. Existing law requires the State Department of Health Care Services to, among other things, implement specified mental health services through contracts with county mental health programs or counties acting jointly. Existing law requires the department to conduct program reviews of performance contracts to determine compliance, as specified. If a county mental health program is not in compliance with its performance contract, existing law authorizes the department to request a plan of correction with a specific timeline to achieve improvements. Existing law authorizes the act to be amended by a 2/3 vote of the Legislature if the amendments are consistent with, and further the intent of, the act. Existing law authorizes the Legislature to add provisions to clarify procedures and terms of the act by majority vote.
Existing law establishes the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission to oversee various parts of the act, as specified. Existing law authorizes the commission to, among other things, obtain data and information from specified entities to utilize in its oversight, review, training and technical assistance, accountability, and evaluation capacity regarding projects and programs supported with MHSA funds.
This bill would require the commission to develop a local government transparency and accountability strategy for local mental health programs that includes fiscal, program and outcome components, as specified. The bill would also require the commission to develop a transparency and accountability strategy for state government that includes fiscal information, and information on programs and outcomes related to mental health. The state and local plans would include developing elements, information tools, materials, or other efforts that allow for public awareness and monitoring of state level mental health spending, activities, and outcomes, as specified. With respect to the program component of the local transparency and accountability strategy, the bill would require the State Department of Health Care Services to adopt, by January 1, 2020, and periodically update, regulations regarding demographic reporting or other requirements, that are consistent with regulations adopted by the commission and support the transparency and accountability strategy developed by the commission. The bill would require the commission to assess the adequacy of existing statutory and regulatory data reporting requirements, strategies, and practices, and make recommendations to the Governor and Legislature for streamlining and strengthening those strategies. The bill would require the commission, in developing the transparency and accountability strategy, to prepare and report to the Legislature on or before March 31, 2020, and periodically thereafter, on the commissions progress in complying with the requirements of the bill, and any funding, personnel, authority, or other resources the commission may need to achieve the bills intent.
