For Immediate Release
July 11, 2017

Contact:
Shelly Sullivan, No on AB 1250 Coalition (916) 213-3700
Gregg Fishman, CSAC, (916) 342-9508

Sacramento, CA – A broad, statewide coalition including local governments, community-based organizations, nonprofits, small business, public safety, public health, mental health, children’s and social services advocates are voicing their strong opposition to AB 1250 (Jones-Sawyer) as it comes before the Senate Governance and Finance Committee tomorrow — July 12, 2017.

AB 1250 imposes significant new restrictions and layers of bureaucracy designed to stop counties from contracting with nonprofits, licensed professionals and other providers for critical local services. Restricting counties’ abilities to contract for the expertise and the most efficient delivery of services would result in reduced access to services or even the elimination of some services for the most vulnerable in our state.

Matt Cate, Executive Director of the California State Association of Counties said, “AB 1250 would essentially handcuff counties abilities to provide vital public services. It would severely restrict our ability to meet local needs in a responsible and efficient manner. It’s bad for counties, but more importantly, it’s bad for some of the most vulnerable people who rely on their county to provide medical treatment, mental and behavioral health care, and a wide variety of other critical services.”

Nearly 200 groups are in strong opposition to AB 1250 and are sharing how the bill will negatively impact their ability to provide vital services to vulnerable Californians:

“The bill would simply restrict counties’ abilities to contract for efficient, effective delivery of human services, resulting in decreased access to services – or even the outright elimination of some services – for the most vulnerable in our population.”

California Alliance of Child and Family Services

“District attorney offices routinely contract for a variety of services…. AB 1250 makes it more difficult to contract for these important functions.”

California District Attorneys Association

“By creating a tortuous process with which counties must comply in order to let contracts for vital public safety services, this bill will disadvantage those people who rely upon those services.”

California State Sheriffs’ Association

“Adding the burdens contemplated by AB 1250 would certainly make hospitals seriously reconsider their relationships with counties, and could result in decreased access to vital health care services that many Californians depend on.”

California Hospital Association

“Often times, local organizations are the best avenue to provide intervention and preventions services; having greater impact with public dollars. Non-profits already operate with very tight budgets and creating additional hurdles to these funds would impede our ability to serve families; reducing or eliminating resources that families need and deserve!”

Centro la Familia Advocacy Services

“CAPC serves over 20,000 children, parents and families…. AB 1250 would impose significant new burdens on community based organizations and private sector contractors for the sole purpose of discouraging public/private partnerships.”

Child Abuse Prevention Council of Contra Costa County (CAPC)

“This bill will seriously undermine counties’ abilities to provide critical public health services, including mental health and substance use disorder services.”

County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California

“Contra Costa County…operates a public hospital, clinics and health care facilities…. AB 1250 would fundamentally disrupt the County’s ability to provide the full range of health care services…. Adding the horrific constraints required by AB 1250 is both nonsensical and incredibly dangerous.”

Contra Costa County Health Services