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AB-2416 Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative Act: virtual platform.(2021-2022)

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Date Published: 02/17/2022 09:00 PM
AB2416:v99#DOCUMENT


CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 2416

Introduced by Assembly Member Calderon

February 17, 2022

An act to amend Section 5961.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to children and youth behavioral health.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 2416, as introduced, Calderon. Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative Act: virtual platform.
Existing law establishes the California Health and Human Services Agency, under the direction of the Secretary of California Health and Human Services, which includes, among other departments, the State Department of Public Health and the State Department of Health Care Services. Existing law establishes the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, which is administered by the agency and its departments and declares the purpose of the initiative to be to transform the state’s behavioral health system into an innovative ecosystem in which all children and youth 25 years of age and younger, regardless of payer, are screened, supported, and served for emerging and existing behavioral health needs. Existing law requires the State Department of Health Care Services to, among other things, procure and oversee a vendor to establish and maintain a behavioral health services and supports virtual platform to integrate behavioral health screenings, application-based supports, and direct behavioral health services, as specified.
This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to a provision relating to that virtual platform.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NO   Local Program: NO  

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


SECTION 1.

 Section 5961.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

5961.1.
 (a) As a component of the initiative, the State Department of Health Care Services shall procure and oversee a vendor to establish and maintain a behavioral health services and supports virtual platform that integrates behavioral health screenings, application-based supports, and direct behavioral health services to children and youth 25 years of age and younger, regardless of payer.
(b) Any virtual platform established or procured shall include access in all Medi-Cal threshold languages and shall languages, be culturally appropriate to accommodate the diversity of the population population, and shall be accessible by telephone.
(c) The virtual platform may provide behavioral health services and supports, including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) Regular, automated behavioral health screenings.
(2) Short-term individual counseling, group counseling, and behavioral health peer and coaching supports.
(3) Interactive education, self-monitoring tools, application-based games, video and book suggestions, automated cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindful exercises designed to build skills and enhance wellbeing.
(4) Access to behavioral health peers, coaches, and licensed clinicians.
(5) Referrals to an individual’s commercial health insurance, Medi-Cal managed care plan, county behavioral health, school-linked counselor, or community-based organizations, or other resources for higher-level behavioral health services.
(6) Statewide e-consult service to allow primary care pediatric and family practice providers to receive asynchronous support and consultation to manage behavioral health conditions for their patients.