Below is an update on the status of Senator Eggman’s package of eight bills focusing on improving access to behavioral health care. The bills, which are co-sponsored by the Big City Mayors and psychiatrists and psychologists, include:

• SB 929: Seeks to improve the data on services provided to Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) conservatees. This bill is scheduled to be heard in Assembly Appropriations on August 3.

• SB 965: Allows for relevant testimony to be heard during LPS conservatorship hearings. This bill stalled without a hearing in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

• SB 970: Applies the Continuous Quality Improvement paradigm to Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funding requiring greater accountability for spending and outcome data. Would also provide some funding flexibilities after three to five years of improvement under this framework. This bill is scheduled to be heard in Assembly Appropriations on August 3.

• SB 1035: Would allow a court to conduct status hearings to receive information regarding progress and inquire about medication adherence as part of an Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT, or Laura’s Law) treatment plan. This bill is pending on third reading on the Assembly Floor.

• SB 1154: Creates a statewide database of available behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment beds. This bill is scheduled to be heard in Assembly Appropriations on August 3.

• SB 1227: Authorizes the professional person in charge of a facility providing intensive treatment to a person to file a petition in court seeking approval for up to one additional 30-day stabilization period to continue to allow a client to improve and possibly avoid LPS conservatorship. This bill is pending on third reading on the Assembly Floor.

• SB 1238: Requires a regional planning process for behavioral health facilities and services akin to the state’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). This bill is scheduled to be heard in Assembly Appropriations on August 3.

• SB 1416: Would change the definition of gravely disabled under LPS law to include an inability to make decisions related to personal or medical care as well as self-protection and safety. This bill stalled without a hearing in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

In addition to Senator Eggman’s bill package, two other related bills that are moving through the legislative process and of interest to counties include:

• AB 2275 (Wood and Stone): This bill was introduced by the Assembly Members as a solution to issues raised in their joint informational hearing on the LPS Act in December 2021. Specifically, AB 2275 clarifies the starting point for 72-hour involuntary holds and directs additional data collection on LPS conservatorships. This bill is scheduled to be heard in Senate Appropriations Committee on August 1.

• SB 928 (Wieckowski): Raises the nominal fee that public administrators can charge for managing the estate of decedents from $1,000 to $3,000. This bill is pending on third reading on the Assembly Floor. CSAC supports SB 928.