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AB-1601 Office of Emergency Services: behavioral health response.(2019-2020)

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Date Published: 02/22/2019 09:00 PM
AB1601:v99#DOCUMENT


CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 1601

Introduced by Assembly Member Ramos
(Coauthor: Assembly Member Wood)

February 22, 2019

An act to add Sections 8587.14 and 8587.15 to the Government Code, relating to behavioral health.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 1601, as introduced, Ramos. Office of Emergency Services: behavioral health response.
The California Emergency Services Act establishes the Office of Emergency Services within the Governor’s office under the supervision of the Director of Emergency Services and makes the office responsible for the state’s emergency and disaster response services for natural, technological, or manmade disasters and emergencies. Existing law authorizes the Governor, or the director when the governor is inaccessible, to proclaim a state of emergency under specified circumstances.
This bill would establish a behavioral health deputy director within the Office of Emergency Services to ensure individuals have access to necessary mental and behavioral health services and supports in the aftermath of a natural disaster or declaration of a state of emergency and would require the deputy director to collaborate with the Director of Health Care Services to coordinate the delivery of trauma-related support to individuals affected by a natural disaster or state of emergency. The bill would require the Director of Health Care Services, in collaboration with the Office of Emergency Services, to immediately request necessary federal waivers to ensure the provision of healthcare services, as specified, during a natural disaster or declared state of emergency.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 8587.14 is added to the Government Code, to read:

8587.14.
 (a) The office shall establish a behavioral health deputy director to ensure individuals have access to necessary mental and behavioral health services and supports in the aftermath of a natural disaster or declaration of a state of emergency.
(b) The deputy director shall collaborate with the Director of Health Care Services to coordinate the delivery of trauma-related support to individuals affected by a natural disaster or state of emergency. The deputy director’s responsibilities may include, but shall not be limited to, both of the following:
(1) Coordinating local behavioral health professionals to provide access to behavioral health services in the aftermath of a natural disaster or declaration of a state of emergency, including ensuring those behavioral health professionals are properly licensed.
(2) Ensuring the availability of trauma specialists to train the appropriate local emergency response staff in the aftermath of a natural disaster or declaration of a state of emergency.

SEC. 2.

 Section 8587.15 is added to the Government Code, to read:

8587.15.
 The Director of Health Care Services, in coordination with the office, shall immediately request necessary federal waivers to ensure the provision of healthcare services to individuals in an impacted area during a natural disaster or declared state of emergency.