Existing law establishes various state and local programs for the provision of mental health services within the jurisdiction of the State Department of Health Care Services, the State Department of Public Health, the California Behavioral Health Planning Council, the Department of Health Care Access and Information, and county public health or behavioral health departments, among other entities. Under existing law, those programs, services, and provisions include, among others, the Mental Health Services Act, the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program, the Licensed Mental Health Service Provider Education Program, and Medi-Cal specialty mental health services.

This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation relating to access to mental health care.