Health Care

What’s in California’s mental health system overhaul

It modernizes the 2004 Mental Health Services Act and injects new accountability into the program.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday, March 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

An overhaul of California’s mental and behavioral health system is headed to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) after lawmakers approved a two-bill package Thursday that supporters have promoted as a response to the states’ homelessness crisis. 

Newsom is expected to sign both bills by Oct. 14: a Senate measure that changes how mental and behavioral health care is funded, and an Assembly measure that would authorize a $6.38 billion bond.

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