Bill > SB823

This bill amends the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act to expand mental health service eligibility by including bipolar I disorder alongside existing qualifying mental health conditions like schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. The bill maintains the existing qualifying criteria, which require the individual to be 18 years or older, not clinically stabilized in ongoing voluntary treatment, and meet specific conditions demonstrating a need for intervention, such as being unlikely to survive safely in the community or at risk of relapse that could result in grave disability or serious harm. The bill clarifies that substance use disorder alone does not qualify an individual for CARE services, and that psychotic disorders caused by medical conditions are not eligible. Additionally, the bill includes a provision that if the Commission on State Mandates determines the act imposes state-mandated costs, local agencies will be reimbursed according to existing statutory procedures. By expanding the types of mental health conditions covered, the bill aims to provide more comprehensive mental health support and intervention for individuals with severe mental illnesses.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB823