Existing law provides for the California Health and Human Services Agency, which includes, among other agencies, the State Department of Health Care Services, the State Department of Developmental Services, and the Department of Managed Health Care. Under existing law, various state and local agencies are responsible for providing or arranging for the provision of behavioral health services to adults and children in the state.

This bill would establish the Behavioral Health Stakeholder Advisory Panel, an independent, statewide advisory board to provide ongoing advice and assistance on behavioral health program needs and priorities to the California Health and Human Services Agency, including making recommendations on actions to improve the collaboration and processes of the multiple agencies involved in California’s behavioral health delivery system. The bill would specify the membership of the panel, as appointed by the Secretary of California Health and Human Services, and members of the advisory panel would serve on a voluntary basis, without compensation. The bill would set forth the minimum powers and duties of the advisory panel and the agency. The bill would require the panel to annually report to the Legislature on the advisory panel’s accomplishments, effectiveness, efficiency, including any recommendations for statutory changes needed to improve the effective delivery of behavioral health services in the state and the ability of the advisory panel to fulfill its purpose. The bill would be implemented only to the extent that funding from nonstate sources is received for its purposes.