Amended IN Assembly March 24, 2022 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1999Introduced by Assembly Member ArambulaFebruary 10, 2022 An act relating to mental health. to add Section 14132.83 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to Medi-Cal.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1999, as amended, Arambula. Mental Medi-Cal: behavioral health: individuals with vision loss.Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services, including certain behavioral health services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions.This bill would require the department to establish a pilot project to provide behavioral health services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are blind or have low vision, as a covered benefit under the Medi-Cal program. The bill would require that the pilot project be implemented in at least 6 counties that have agreed to participate, with at least one of those counties being in northern California, one in central California, and one in southern California, as specified. The bill would make related legislative findings.The bill would condition implementation of the pilot project on an appropriation by the Legislature, receipt of any necessary federal approvals, and the availability of federal financial participation.Existing law, the Bronzan-McCorquodale Act, contains provisions governing the operation and financing of community mental health services for the mentally disordered in every county through locally administered and locally controlled community mental health programs. Existing law further provides that, to the extent resources are available, community mental health services should be organized to provide an array of treatment options in specified areas, including, among others, precrisis and crisis services and rehabilitation and support services. This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would require the State Department of Health Care Services to establish a pilot project to provide mental health services to persons who are blind or have low vision and that would require the pilot project to have specified components, including that funding would be provided for at least 6 counties that have agreed to participate.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NOYES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Adults who lose all, or most, of their vision, especially those whose onset of vision loss is later in life, face a myriad of challenges if they are to continue to live independently and productively.(b) Adults with vision loss experience challenges, including, but not limited to, social isolation, depression, and other behavioral health issues, caused by the conditions surrounding their vision loss and the attitudes of the individual, their family, and society in general.(c) Behavioral health services targeted to this population meet only a small fraction of the need.SEC. 2. Section 14132.83 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:14132.83. (a) Subject to subdivision (d), the department shall establish a pilot project to provide behavioral health services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are blind or have low vision, as a covered benefit under the Medi-Cal program.(b) The pilot project shall be implemented in at least six counties that have agreed to participate, with at least one of those counties being in northern California, one in central California, and one in southern California. The department shall take into account the representation of urban, rural, and suburban areas.(c) Participating counties may provide the behavioral health services either directly or by contracting with providers that demonstrate expertise in serving the behavioral health needs of individuals who are blind or have low vision.(d) (1) This section shall be implemented subject to an appropriation by the Legislature for purposes of this section.(2) The department shall seek any necessary federal approvals to implement this section. This section shall be implemented only to the extent that any necessary federal approvals are obtained and federal financial participation is available.SECTION 1.(a)The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(1)Adults who lose all, or most, of their vision, especially those whose onset of vision loss is later in life, face a myriad of challenges if they are to continue to live independently and productively.(2)One of the most severe challenges for adults with vision loss is the social isolation, depression, and other mental health issues caused by the conditions surrounding their vision loss and the attitudes of the individual, their family, and society in general.(3)Mental health services targeted to this population meet only a small fraction of the need.(b)It is, therefore, the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would require the State Department of Health Care Services to establish a pilot project to provide mental health services to persons who are blind or have low vision and that would require the pilot project to have the following components:(1)Funding for at least six counties that have agreed to participate, with one of those counties being in northern California, one in central California, and one in southern California, and shall take into account the representation of urban, rural, and suburban areas.(2)Authorization for participating counties to provide services either directly or by contract with agencies demonstrating expertise in serving the mental health needs of persons who are blind or have low vision.
Amended IN Assembly March 24, 2022 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1999Introduced by Assembly Member ArambulaFebruary 10, 2022 An act relating to mental health. to add Section 14132.83 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to Medi-Cal.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1999, as amended, Arambula. Mental Medi-Cal: behavioral health: individuals with vision loss.Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services, including certain behavioral health services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions.This bill would require the department to establish a pilot project to provide behavioral health services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are blind or have low vision, as a covered benefit under the Medi-Cal program. The bill would require that the pilot project be implemented in at least 6 counties that have agreed to participate, with at least one of those counties being in northern California, one in central California, and one in southern California, as specified. The bill would make related legislative findings.The bill would condition implementation of the pilot project on an appropriation by the Legislature, receipt of any necessary federal approvals, and the availability of federal financial participation.Existing law, the Bronzan-McCorquodale Act, contains provisions governing the operation and financing of community mental health services for the mentally disordered in every county through locally administered and locally controlled community mental health programs. Existing law further provides that, to the extent resources are available, community mental health services should be organized to provide an array of treatment options in specified areas, including, among others, precrisis and crisis services and rehabilitation and support services. This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would require the State Department of Health Care Services to establish a pilot project to provide mental health services to persons who are blind or have low vision and that would require the pilot project to have specified components, including that funding would be provided for at least 6 counties that have agreed to participate.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NOYES Local Program: NO
Amended IN Assembly March 24, 2022
Amended IN Assembly March 24, 2022
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 1999
Introduced by Assembly Member ArambulaFebruary 10, 2022
Introduced by Assembly Member Arambula
February 10, 2022
An act relating to mental health. to add Section 14132.83 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to Medi-Cal.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1999, as amended, Arambula. Mental Medi-Cal: behavioral health: individuals with vision loss.
Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services, including certain behavioral health services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions.This bill would require the department to establish a pilot project to provide behavioral health services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are blind or have low vision, as a covered benefit under the Medi-Cal program. The bill would require that the pilot project be implemented in at least 6 counties that have agreed to participate, with at least one of those counties being in northern California, one in central California, and one in southern California, as specified. The bill would make related legislative findings.The bill would condition implementation of the pilot project on an appropriation by the Legislature, receipt of any necessary federal approvals, and the availability of federal financial participation.Existing law, the Bronzan-McCorquodale Act, contains provisions governing the operation and financing of community mental health services for the mentally disordered in every county through locally administered and locally controlled community mental health programs. Existing law further provides that, to the extent resources are available, community mental health services should be organized to provide an array of treatment options in specified areas, including, among others, precrisis and crisis services and rehabilitation and support services. This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would require the State Department of Health Care Services to establish a pilot project to provide mental health services to persons who are blind or have low vision and that would require the pilot project to have specified components, including that funding would be provided for at least 6 counties that have agreed to participate.
Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services and under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services, including certain behavioral health services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions.
This bill would require the department to establish a pilot project to provide behavioral health services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are blind or have low vision, as a covered benefit under the Medi-Cal program. The bill would require that the pilot project be implemented in at least 6 counties that have agreed to participate, with at least one of those counties being in northern California, one in central California, and one in southern California, as specified. The bill would make related legislative findings.
The bill would condition implementation of the pilot project on an appropriation by the Legislature, receipt of any necessary federal approvals, and the availability of federal financial participation.
Existing law, the Bronzan-McCorquodale Act, contains provisions governing the operation and financing of community mental health services for the mentally disordered in every county through locally administered and locally controlled community mental health programs. Existing law further provides that, to the extent resources are available, community mental health services should be organized to provide an array of treatment options in specified areas, including, among others, precrisis and crisis services and rehabilitation and support services.
This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would require the State Department of Health Care Services to establish a pilot project to provide mental health services to persons who are blind or have low vision and that would require the pilot project to have specified components, including that funding would be provided for at least 6 counties that have agreed to participate.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Adults who lose all, or most, of their vision, especially those whose onset of vision loss is later in life, face a myriad of challenges if they are to continue to live independently and productively.(b) Adults with vision loss experience challenges, including, but not limited to, social isolation, depression, and other behavioral health issues, caused by the conditions surrounding their vision loss and the attitudes of the individual, their family, and society in general.(c) Behavioral health services targeted to this population meet only a small fraction of the need.SEC. 2. Section 14132.83 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:14132.83. (a) Subject to subdivision (d), the department shall establish a pilot project to provide behavioral health services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are blind or have low vision, as a covered benefit under the Medi-Cal program.(b) The pilot project shall be implemented in at least six counties that have agreed to participate, with at least one of those counties being in northern California, one in central California, and one in southern California. The department shall take into account the representation of urban, rural, and suburban areas.(c) Participating counties may provide the behavioral health services either directly or by contracting with providers that demonstrate expertise in serving the behavioral health needs of individuals who are blind or have low vision.(d) (1) This section shall be implemented subject to an appropriation by the Legislature for purposes of this section.(2) The department shall seek any necessary federal approvals to implement this section. This section shall be implemented only to the extent that any necessary federal approvals are obtained and federal financial participation is available.SECTION 1.(a)The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(1)Adults who lose all, or most, of their vision, especially those whose onset of vision loss is later in life, face a myriad of challenges if they are to continue to live independently and productively.(2)One of the most severe challenges for adults with vision loss is the social isolation, depression, and other mental health issues caused by the conditions surrounding their vision loss and the attitudes of the individual, their family, and society in general.(3)Mental health services targeted to this population meet only a small fraction of the need.(b)It is, therefore, the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would require the State Department of Health Care Services to establish a pilot project to provide mental health services to persons who are blind or have low vision and that would require the pilot project to have the following components:(1)Funding for at least six counties that have agreed to participate, with one of those counties being in northern California, one in central California, and one in southern California, and shall take into account the representation of urban, rural, and suburban areas.(2)Authorization for participating counties to provide services either directly or by contract with agencies demonstrating expertise in serving the mental health needs of persons who are blind or have low vision.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Adults who lose all, or most, of their vision, especially those whose onset of vision loss is later in life, face a myriad of challenges if they are to continue to live independently and productively.(b) Adults with vision loss experience challenges, including, but not limited to, social isolation, depression, and other behavioral health issues, caused by the conditions surrounding their vision loss and the attitudes of the individual, their family, and society in general.(c) Behavioral health services targeted to this population meet only a small fraction of the need.
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Adults who lose all, or most, of their vision, especially those whose onset of vision loss is later in life, face a myriad of challenges if they are to continue to live independently and productively.(b) Adults with vision loss experience challenges, including, but not limited to, social isolation, depression, and other behavioral health issues, caused by the conditions surrounding their vision loss and the attitudes of the individual, their family, and society in general.(c) Behavioral health services targeted to this population meet only a small fraction of the need.
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
### SECTION 1.
(a) Adults who lose all, or most, of their vision, especially those whose onset of vision loss is later in life, face a myriad of challenges if they are to continue to live independently and productively.
(b) Adults with vision loss experience challenges, including, but not limited to, social isolation, depression, and other behavioral health issues, caused by the conditions surrounding their vision loss and the attitudes of the individual, their family, and society in general.
(c) Behavioral health services targeted to this population meet only a small fraction of the need.
SEC. 2. Section 14132.83 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:14132.83. (a) Subject to subdivision (d), the department shall establish a pilot project to provide behavioral health services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are blind or have low vision, as a covered benefit under the Medi-Cal program.(b) The pilot project shall be implemented in at least six counties that have agreed to participate, with at least one of those counties being in northern California, one in central California, and one in southern California. The department shall take into account the representation of urban, rural, and suburban areas.(c) Participating counties may provide the behavioral health services either directly or by contracting with providers that demonstrate expertise in serving the behavioral health needs of individuals who are blind or have low vision.(d) (1) This section shall be implemented subject to an appropriation by the Legislature for purposes of this section.(2) The department shall seek any necessary federal approvals to implement this section. This section shall be implemented only to the extent that any necessary federal approvals are obtained and federal financial participation is available.
SEC. 2. Section 14132.83 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:
### SEC. 2.
14132.83. (a) Subject to subdivision (d), the department shall establish a pilot project to provide behavioral health services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are blind or have low vision, as a covered benefit under the Medi-Cal program.(b) The pilot project shall be implemented in at least six counties that have agreed to participate, with at least one of those counties being in northern California, one in central California, and one in southern California. The department shall take into account the representation of urban, rural, and suburban areas.(c) Participating counties may provide the behavioral health services either directly or by contracting with providers that demonstrate expertise in serving the behavioral health needs of individuals who are blind or have low vision.(d) (1) This section shall be implemented subject to an appropriation by the Legislature for purposes of this section.(2) The department shall seek any necessary federal approvals to implement this section. This section shall be implemented only to the extent that any necessary federal approvals are obtained and federal financial participation is available.
14132.83. (a) Subject to subdivision (d), the department shall establish a pilot project to provide behavioral health services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are blind or have low vision, as a covered benefit under the Medi-Cal program.(b) The pilot project shall be implemented in at least six counties that have agreed to participate, with at least one of those counties being in northern California, one in central California, and one in southern California. The department shall take into account the representation of urban, rural, and suburban areas.(c) Participating counties may provide the behavioral health services either directly or by contracting with providers that demonstrate expertise in serving the behavioral health needs of individuals who are blind or have low vision.(d) (1) This section shall be implemented subject to an appropriation by the Legislature for purposes of this section.(2) The department shall seek any necessary federal approvals to implement this section. This section shall be implemented only to the extent that any necessary federal approvals are obtained and federal financial participation is available.
14132.83. (a) Subject to subdivision (d), the department shall establish a pilot project to provide behavioral health services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are blind or have low vision, as a covered benefit under the Medi-Cal program.(b) The pilot project shall be implemented in at least six counties that have agreed to participate, with at least one of those counties being in northern California, one in central California, and one in southern California. The department shall take into account the representation of urban, rural, and suburban areas.(c) Participating counties may provide the behavioral health services either directly or by contracting with providers that demonstrate expertise in serving the behavioral health needs of individuals who are blind or have low vision.(d) (1) This section shall be implemented subject to an appropriation by the Legislature for purposes of this section.(2) The department shall seek any necessary federal approvals to implement this section. This section shall be implemented only to the extent that any necessary federal approvals are obtained and federal financial participation is available.
14132.83. (a) Subject to subdivision (d), the department shall establish a pilot project to provide behavioral health services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are blind or have low vision, as a covered benefit under the Medi-Cal program.
(b) The pilot project shall be implemented in at least six counties that have agreed to participate, with at least one of those counties being in northern California, one in central California, and one in southern California. The department shall take into account the representation of urban, rural, and suburban areas.
(c) Participating counties may provide the behavioral health services either directly or by contracting with providers that demonstrate expertise in serving the behavioral health needs of individuals who are blind or have low vision.
(d) (1) This section shall be implemented subject to an appropriation by the Legislature for purposes of this section.
(2) The department shall seek any necessary federal approvals to implement this section. This section shall be implemented only to the extent that any necessary federal approvals are obtained and federal financial participation is available.
(a)The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1)Adults who lose all, or most, of their vision, especially those whose onset of vision loss is later in life, face a myriad of challenges if they are to continue to live independently and productively.
(2)One of the most severe challenges for adults with vision loss is the social isolation, depression, and other mental health issues caused by the conditions surrounding their vision loss and the attitudes of the individual, their family, and society in general.
(3)Mental health services targeted to this population meet only a small fraction of the need.
(b)It is, therefore, the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would require the State Department of Health Care Services to establish a pilot project to provide mental health services to persons who are blind or have low vision and that would require the pilot project to have the following components:
(1)Funding for at least six counties that have agreed to participate, with one of those counties being in northern California, one in central California, and one in southern California, and shall take into account the representation of urban, rural, and suburban areas.
(2)Authorization for participating counties to provide services either directly or by contract with agencies demonstrating expertise in serving the mental health needs of persons who are blind or have low vision.