AB 2843: Mental Health Services Fund.

Existing law, the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), an initiative measure enacted by the voters by 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 by imposing a tax of 1% on annual incomes above $1,000,000. Existing law reallocates funds back to a county that failed to spend its initial funds within 3 years, and requires the county, by July 1, 2018, to prepare a plan to expend those funds on or before July 1, 2020. Under existing law, The MHSA requires funds allocated to a county that have not been spent within a specified time would to revert to the Mental Health Services Fund, as provided. Fund and to be reallocated to other counties for the purposes for which the unspent funds were initially allocated to the original county. The MHSA permits amendment by the Legislature by a ²/₃ vote of each house if the amendment is consistent with, and furthers the intent of, the MHSA.

This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would require a county that receives reallocated funds from the Mental Health Services Fund to spend those funds within 2 years of adopting an expenditure plan for those funds. It would further state the intent of the Legislature that any funds not expended by a county within those 2 years would revert to the Mental Health Services Fund to be redistributed to cities within that county. additionally require those funds subject to reversion to be reallocated to cities, special districts, school districts, or other public entities for the provision of mental health services consistent with the intent of the MHSA. The bill would find and declare that its provisions are consistent with and further the intent of the MHSA. By allocating moneys in the Mental Health Services Fund for new purposes, this bill would make an appropriation.