SECTION 1.
(a) The sum of 20 million dollars ($20,000,000) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development for the purpose of reducing the shortage of, and disparity in, mental health services across the state by performing one or more of the following actions:(1) Expanding and scaling pipeline programs to recruit and prepare pupils and students, who are from an underrepresented group, for mental health careers.
(2) Recruiting and supporting students enrolled in a postsecondary educational institution, who are from both an underrepresented group and a mental health professional shortage area, to pursue mental health careers.
(3) Supporting scholarships for students enrolled in a postsecondary educational institution who pursue a mental health profession and serve in a mental health professional shortage area.
(4) Recruiting and training students enrolled in a postsecondary educational institution, who are from a rural area or a mental health professional shortage area, to practice mental health care in a community health center in that area.
(b) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Mental health professional shortage area” means an area designated as such by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
(2) “Postsecondary educational institution” has the same meaning as provided in Section 66261.5 of the Education Code.
(3) “Rural area” means a medical service study area with a population density of fewer than 250 persons per square mile and no population center in excess of 50,000 within the area, as determined by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development.
(4) “Underrepresented group” has the same meaning as provided in Section 128330 of the Health and Safety Code.