AB1970:v96#DOCUMENTBill Start
Amended
IN
Senate
June 18, 2024
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Amended
IN
Senate
June 03, 2024
|
Amended
IN
Assembly
April 01, 2024
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|
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 1970
Introduced by Assembly Member Jackson
(Coauthor: Assembly Member Bonta)
(Coauthor: Senator Rubio)
|
January 30, 2024 |
An act to add Sections 18998.15 and 18998.35 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to mental health.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1970, as amended, Jackson.
Mental Health: Black Mental Health Navigator Certification.
Existing law establishes, within the Health and Welfare Agency, the Department of Health Care Access and Information, which is responsible for, among other things, administering various health professions training and development programs. Existing law requires the department to develop and approve statewide requirements for community health worker certificate programs. Existing law defines “community health worker” to mean a liaison, link, or intermediary between health and social services and the community to facilitate access to services and to improve the access and cultural competence of service delivery.
This bill would require the department to, on or before July 1, 2025,
to develop criteria for a specialty certificate program and specialized training requirements for a Black Mental Health Navigator Certification, as specified. The bill would require the department to collect and regularly publish data, not less than annually, including, but not limited to, the number of individuals certified, including those who complete a specialty certificate program, as specified, and the number of individuals who are actively employed in a community health worker role. The bill would make these provisions subject to an appropriation by the Legislature.
Digest Key
Vote:
MAJORITY
Appropriation:
NO
Fiscal Committee:
YES
Local Program:
NO
Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 18998.15 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:18998.15.
(a) (1) Pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 18998.1, the department shall, on or before July 1, 2025, upon appropriation by the Legislature, develop criteria for a specialty certificate program and specialized training requirements for a Black Mental Health Navigator Certification.(2) The department shall solicit stakeholder feedback on the criteria for the certificate.
(3) The department may
engage a community-based organization with relevant expertise about mental health and wellness in Black communities to advise on or to develop the criteria.
(b) The Black Mental Health Navigator Certification specialty certificate program and specialized training shall include comprehensive training in mental health resources and awareness, including, but not limited to, entry-level assessments, crisis intervention training for nonemergency cases, navigation support, and culturally specific practices relative to delivering public health and mental health assistance to help connect individuals with state resources, licensed mental health professionals, and wellness services.
SEC. 2.
Section 18998.35 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:18998.35.
(a) The Upon appropriation by the Legislature, the department shall collect and regularly publish data, not less than annually, including, but not limited to, both of the following:(1) The number of individuals certified, and corresponding demographic information on the individuals certified, including those who complete a specialty certificate program and specialized training, by each type of certificate.
(2) The number of
individuals who are actively employed in a community health worker role.
(b) This section does not require the reporting of the names or personal identifying information.