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| 1 | + | CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 308Introduced by Assembly Member RamosJanuary 23, 2025 An act to add Section 16529.5 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to child welfare.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 308, as introduced, Ramos. The Family Urgent Response System.Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to establish a statewide hotline as the entry point for the Family Urgent Response System, as defined, to respond to calls from caregivers or current or former foster children or youth during moments of instability, as specified. Existing law requires the hotline to include, among other things, referrals to a county-based mobile response system, as specified, for further support and in-person response. Existing law requires the department to collect deidentified, aggregated data, including the number of current and former foster children or youth served through the statewide hotline and the disposition of each call, and requires the department to publish a report on its internet website, as specified.Existing law also requires county child welfare, probation, and behavioral health agencies, in each county or region of counties, as specified, to establish a joint county-based mobile response system that includes a mobile response and stabilization team for the purpose of providing supportive services to, among other things, address situations of instability, preserve the relationship of the caregiver and the child or youth, and stabilize the situation.This bill would authorize a county behavioral health director to develop procedures for the countys mobile response system, which may include procedures for handling an emergency situation involving an individual with autism, a behavioral health issue, or another developmental disability. The bill would require those procedures to include, among other things, deescalation techniques for an individual that takes into account their specific circumstances to preserve their safety and well-being. This bill would authorize a county behavioral health director to create training for those procedures and would require that training to be developed in conjunction with law enforcement.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 16529.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:16529.5. (a) A county behavioral health director may develop procedures for the countys mobile response system, which may include, but are not limited to, the handling of an emergency situation involving an individual with autism, a behavioral health issue, or another developmental disability.(b) If a county behavioral health director develops procedures pursuant to this section, those procedures shall include all of the following:(1) Deescalation techniques for an encounter with an individual that takes into account the individuals specific circumstances to preserve their safety and well-being.(2) The appropriate amount of force to use on an individual, as necessary.(3) Guidance and best practices regarding the transportation of an individual to their designated health care facility.(c) (1) A county behavioral health director may create training for procedures developed pursuant to subdivision (a).(2) Training developed pursuant to this section shall be developed in conjunction with law enforcement. | |
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| 3 | + | CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 308Introduced by Assembly Member RamosJanuary 23, 2025 An act to add Section 16529.5 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to child welfare.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 308, as introduced, Ramos. The Family Urgent Response System.Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to establish a statewide hotline as the entry point for the Family Urgent Response System, as defined, to respond to calls from caregivers or current or former foster children or youth during moments of instability, as specified. Existing law requires the hotline to include, among other things, referrals to a county-based mobile response system, as specified, for further support and in-person response. Existing law requires the department to collect deidentified, aggregated data, including the number of current and former foster children or youth served through the statewide hotline and the disposition of each call, and requires the department to publish a report on its internet website, as specified.Existing law also requires county child welfare, probation, and behavioral health agencies, in each county or region of counties, as specified, to establish a joint county-based mobile response system that includes a mobile response and stabilization team for the purpose of providing supportive services to, among other things, address situations of instability, preserve the relationship of the caregiver and the child or youth, and stabilize the situation.This bill would authorize a county behavioral health director to develop procedures for the countys mobile response system, which may include procedures for handling an emergency situation involving an individual with autism, a behavioral health issue, or another developmental disability. The bill would require those procedures to include, among other things, deescalation techniques for an individual that takes into account their specific circumstances to preserve their safety and well-being. This bill would authorize a county behavioral health director to create training for those procedures and would require that training to be developed in conjunction with law enforcement.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO | |
| 4 | 4 | ||
| 5 | - | Amended IN Assembly March 03, 2025 | |
| 6 | 5 | ||
| 7 | - | Amended IN Assembly March 03, 2025 | |
| 6 | + | ||
| 7 | + | ||
| 8 | 8 | ||
| 9 | 9 | CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION | |
| 10 | 10 | ||
| 11 | 11 | Assembly Bill | |
| 12 | 12 | ||
| 13 | 13 | No. 308 | |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| 15 | 15 | Introduced by Assembly Member RamosJanuary 23, 2025 | |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| 17 | 17 | Introduced by Assembly Member Ramos | |
| 18 | 18 | January 23, 2025 | |
| 19 | 19 | ||
| 20 | - | An act to add Section 16529.5 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to child welfare. | |
| 20 | + | An act to add Section 16529.5 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to child welfare. | |
| 21 | 21 | ||
| 22 | 22 | LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST | |
| 23 | 23 | ||
| 24 | 24 | ## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST | |
| 25 | 25 | ||
| 26 | - | AB 308, as | |
| 26 | + | AB 308, as introduced, Ramos. The Family Urgent Response System. | |
| 27 | 27 | ||
| 28 | - | Existing law sets forth various provisions relating to mobile crisis teams, including with regard to behavioral health crisis services under the Miles Hall Lifeline and Suicide Prevention Act, involuntary commitment under the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, and community-based mobile crisis intervention services through a Medi-Cal behavioral health delivery system under the Medi-Cal program. Existing law sets forth related provisions for mobile crisis units.Existing law requires a regional center, which serves individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, to implement an emergency response system for, among other groups, consumers who receive mobile crisis services. Existing law requires a regional center and a county mental health agency to develop a general plan for crisis intervention for persons served by both systems. Existing law establishes an advisory council for purposes of developing recommendations for improving outcomes of interactions between law enforcement and people with intellectual or developmental disabilities or with mental health conditions.This bill, in the case of a county that operates, or that contracts for the operation of, a mobile crisis team or unit, would authorize the county behavioral health director to develop procedures for the mobile crisis team or unit that include the handling of an emergency situation, or a crisis incident, involving an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability or an individual with a behavioral health condition.The bill would require the procedures, if developed, to address certain items, including deescalation techniques. The bill would authorize the director to develop training, in conjunction with law enforcement, for those procedures.Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to establish a statewide hotline as the entry point for the Family Urgent Response System, as defined, to respond to calls from caregivers or current or former foster children or youth during moments of instability, as specified. Existing law requires the hotline to include, among other things, referrals to a county-based mobile response system, as specified, for further support and in-person response. Existing law requires the department to collect deidentified, aggregated data, including the number of current and former foster children or youth served through the statewide hotline and the disposition of each call, and requires the department to publish a report on its internet website, as specified.Existing law also requires county child welfare, probation, and behavioral health agencies, in each county or region of counties, as specified, to establish a joint county-based mobile response system that includes a mobile response and stabilization team for the purpose of providing supportive services to, among other things, address situations of instability, preserve the relationship of the caregiver and the child or youth, and stabilize the situation.This bill would authorize a county behavioral health director to develop procedures for the countys mobile response system, which may include procedures for handling an emergency situation involving an individual with autism, a behavioral health issue, or another developmental disability. The bill would require those procedures to include, among other things, deescalation techniques for an individual that takes into account their specific circumstances to preserve their safety and well-being. This bill would authorize a county behavioral health director to create training for those procedures and would require that training to be developed in conjunction with law enforcement. | |
| 29 | - | ||
| 30 | - | Existing law sets forth various provisions relating to mobile crisis teams, including with regard to behavioral health crisis services under the Miles Hall Lifeline and Suicide Prevention Act, involuntary commitment under the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, and community-based mobile crisis intervention services through a Medi-Cal behavioral health delivery system under the Medi-Cal program. Existing law sets forth related provisions for mobile crisis units. | |
| 31 | - | ||
| 32 | - | Existing law requires a regional center, which serves individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, to implement an emergency response system for, among other groups, consumers who receive mobile crisis services. Existing law requires a regional center and a county mental health agency to develop a general plan for crisis intervention for persons served by both systems. | |
| 33 | - | ||
| 34 | - | Existing law establishes an advisory council for purposes of developing recommendations for improving outcomes of interactions between law enforcement and people with intellectual or developmental disabilities or with mental health conditions. | |
| 35 | - | ||
| 36 | - | This bill, in the case of a county that operates, or that contracts for the operation of, a mobile crisis team or unit, would authorize the county behavioral health director to develop procedures for the mobile crisis team or unit that include the handling of an emergency situation, or a crisis incident, involving an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability or an individual with a behavioral health condition. | |
| 37 | - | ||
| 38 | - | The bill would require the procedures, if developed, to address certain items, including deescalation techniques. The bill would authorize the director to develop training, in conjunction with law enforcement, for those procedures. | |
| 28 | + | Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to establish a statewide hotline as the entry point for the Family Urgent Response System, as defined, to respond to calls from caregivers or current or former foster children or youth during moments of instability, as specified. Existing law requires the hotline to include, among other things, referrals to a county-based mobile response system, as specified, for further support and in-person response. Existing law requires the department to collect deidentified, aggregated data, including the number of current and former foster children or youth served through the statewide hotline and the disposition of each call, and requires the department to publish a report on its internet website, as specified.Existing law also requires county child welfare, probation, and behavioral health agencies, in each county or region of counties, as specified, to establish a joint county-based mobile response system that includes a mobile response and stabilization team for the purpose of providing supportive services to, among other things, address situations of instability, preserve the relationship of the caregiver and the child or youth, and stabilize the situation.This bill would authorize a county behavioral health director to develop procedures for the countys mobile response system, which may include procedures for handling an emergency situation involving an individual with autism, a behavioral health issue, or another developmental disability. The bill would require those procedures to include, among other things, deescalation techniques for an individual that takes into account their specific circumstances to preserve their safety and well-being. This bill would authorize a county behavioral health director to create training for those procedures and would require that training to be developed in conjunction with law enforcement. | |
| 39 | 29 | ||
| 40 | 30 | Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services to establish a statewide hotline as the entry point for the Family Urgent Response System, as defined, to respond to calls from caregivers or current or former foster children or youth during moments of instability, as specified. Existing law requires the hotline to include, among other things, referrals to a county-based mobile response system, as specified, for further support and in-person response. Existing law requires the department to collect deidentified, aggregated data, including the number of current and former foster children or youth served through the statewide hotline and the disposition of each call, and requires the department to publish a report on its internet website, as specified. | |
| 41 | 31 | ||
| 42 | - | ||
| 43 | - | ||
| 44 | 32 | Existing law also requires county child welfare, probation, and behavioral health agencies, in each county or region of counties, as specified, to establish a joint county-based mobile response system that includes a mobile response and stabilization team for the purpose of providing supportive services to, among other things, address situations of instability, preserve the relationship of the caregiver and the child or youth, and stabilize the situation. | |
| 45 | 33 | ||
| 46 | - | ||
| 47 | - | ||
| 48 | 34 | This bill would authorize a county behavioral health director to develop procedures for the countys mobile response system, which may include procedures for handling an emergency situation involving an individual with autism, a behavioral health issue, or another developmental disability. The bill would require those procedures to include, among other things, deescalation techniques for an individual that takes into account their specific circumstances to preserve their safety and well-being. This bill would authorize a county behavioral health director to create training for those procedures and would require that training to be developed in conjunction with law enforcement. | |
| 49 | - | ||
| 50 | - | ||
| 51 | 35 | ||
| 52 | 36 | ## Digest Key | |
| 53 | 37 | ||
| 54 | 38 | ## Bill Text | |
| 55 | 39 | ||
| 56 | - | The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. | |
| 40 | + | The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 16529.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:16529.5. (a) A county behavioral health director may develop procedures for the countys mobile response system, which may include, but are not limited to, the handling of an emergency situation involving an individual with autism, a behavioral health issue, or another developmental disability.(b) If a county behavioral health director develops procedures pursuant to this section, those procedures shall include all of the following:(1) Deescalation techniques for an encounter with an individual that takes into account the individuals specific circumstances to preserve their safety and well-being.(2) The appropriate amount of force to use on an individual, as necessary.(3) Guidance and best practices regarding the transportation of an individual to their designated health care facility.(c) (1) A county behavioral health director may create training for procedures developed pursuant to subdivision (a).(2) Training developed pursuant to this section shall be developed in conjunction with law enforcement. | |
| 57 | 41 | ||
| 58 | 42 | The people of the State of California do enact as follows: | |
| 59 | 43 | ||
| 60 | 44 | ## The people of the State of California do enact as follows: | |
| 61 | 45 | ||
| 62 | - | SECTION 1. | |
| 46 | + | SECTION 1. Section 16529.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:16529.5. (a) A county behavioral health director may develop procedures for the countys mobile response system, which may include, but are not limited to, the handling of an emergency situation involving an individual with autism, a behavioral health issue, or another developmental disability.(b) If a county behavioral health director develops procedures pursuant to this section, those procedures shall include all of the following:(1) Deescalation techniques for an encounter with an individual that takes into account the individuals specific circumstances to preserve their safety and well-being.(2) The appropriate amount of force to use on an individual, as necessary.(3) Guidance and best practices regarding the transportation of an individual to their designated health care facility.(c) (1) A county behavioral health director may create training for procedures developed pursuant to subdivision (a).(2) Training developed pursuant to this section shall be developed in conjunction with law enforcement. | |
| 63 | 47 | ||
| 64 | - | SECTION 1. | |
| 48 | + | SECTION 1. Section 16529.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read: | |
| 65 | 49 | ||
| 66 | 50 | ### SECTION 1. | |
| 67 | 51 | ||
| 68 | - | ||
| 52 | + | 16529.5. (a) A county behavioral health director may develop procedures for the countys mobile response system, which may include, but are not limited to, the handling of an emergency situation involving an individual with autism, a behavioral health issue, or another developmental disability.(b) If a county behavioral health director develops procedures pursuant to this section, those procedures shall include all of the following:(1) Deescalation techniques for an encounter with an individual that takes into account the individuals specific circumstances to preserve their safety and well-being.(2) The appropriate amount of force to use on an individual, as necessary.(3) Guidance and best practices regarding the transportation of an individual to their designated health care facility.(c) (1) A county behavioral health director may create training for procedures developed pursuant to subdivision (a).(2) Training developed pursuant to this section shall be developed in conjunction with law enforcement. | |
| 69 | 53 | ||
| 70 | - | ||
| 54 | + | 16529.5. (a) A county behavioral health director may develop procedures for the countys mobile response system, which may include, but are not limited to, the handling of an emergency situation involving an individual with autism, a behavioral health issue, or another developmental disability.(b) If a county behavioral health director develops procedures pursuant to this section, those procedures shall include all of the following:(1) Deescalation techniques for an encounter with an individual that takes into account the individuals specific circumstances to preserve their safety and well-being.(2) The appropriate amount of force to use on an individual, as necessary.(3) Guidance and best practices regarding the transportation of an individual to their designated health care facility.(c) (1) A county behavioral health director may create training for procedures developed pursuant to subdivision (a).(2) Training developed pursuant to this section shall be developed in conjunction with law enforcement. | |
| 71 | 55 | ||
| 72 | - | CHAPTER 10. County Behavioral Health Mobile Crisis Procedures | |
| 73 | - | ||
| 74 | - | CHAPTER 10. County Behavioral Health Mobile Crisis Procedures | |
| 75 | - | ||
| 76 | - | 8300. For purposes of this chapter, intellectual or developmental disability has the same meaning as developmental disability in Section 4512. | |
| 56 | + | 16529.5. (a) A county behavioral health director may develop procedures for the countys mobile response system, which may include, but are not limited to, the handling of an emergency situation involving an individual with autism, a behavioral health issue, or another developmental disability.(b) If a county behavioral health director develops procedures pursuant to this section, those procedures shall include all of the following:(1) Deescalation techniques for an encounter with an individual that takes into account the individuals specific circumstances to preserve their safety and well-being.(2) The appropriate amount of force to use on an individual, as necessary.(3) Guidance and best practices regarding the transportation of an individual to their designated health care facility.(c) (1) A county behavioral health director may create training for procedures developed pursuant to subdivision (a).(2) Training developed pursuant to this section shall be developed in conjunction with law enforcement. | |
| 77 | 57 | ||
| 78 | 58 | ||
| 79 | 59 | ||
| 80 | - | 8300. For purposes of this chapter, intellectual or developmental disability has the same meaning as developmental disability in Section 4512. | |
| 81 | - | ||
| 82 | - | 8301. (a) In the case of a county that operates, or that contracts for the operation of, a mobile crisis team or a mobile crisis unit, the county behavioral health director may develop procedures for the mobile crisis team or unit that include the handling of an emergency situation, or a crisis incident, involving an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability, including, but not limited to, autism, or involving an individual with a behavioral health condition.(b) If procedures are developed pursuant to subdivision (a), they shall address all of the following:(1) Deescalation techniques for an encounter with an individual described in subdivision (a) that take into account the individuals specific circumstances, in order to preserve their safety and well-being.(2) The appropriate amount of force to use on the individual, if necessary.(3) Guidance and best practices regarding transportation of the individual to their designated health facility or care facility, if applicable.(c) (1) A county behavioral health director may develop training for procedures developed pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b).(2) If training is developed pursuant to paragraph (1), it shall be developed in conjunction with law enforcement. | |
| 83 | - | ||
| 84 | - | ||
| 85 | - | ||
| 86 | - | 8301. (a) In the case of a county that operates, or that contracts for the operation of, a mobile crisis team or a mobile crisis unit, the county behavioral health director may develop procedures for the mobile crisis team or unit that include the handling of an emergency situation, or a crisis incident, involving an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability, including, but not limited to, autism, or involving an individual with a behavioral health condition. | |
| 87 | - | ||
| 88 | - | (b) If procedures are developed pursuant to subdivision (a), they shall address all of the following: | |
| 89 | - | ||
| 90 | - | (1) Deescalation techniques for an encounter with an individual described in subdivision (a) that take into account the individuals specific circumstances, in order to preserve their safety and well-being. | |
| 91 | - | ||
| 92 | - | (2) The appropriate amount of force to use on the individual, if necessary. | |
| 93 | - | ||
| 94 | - | (3) Guidance and best practices regarding transportation of the individual to their designated health facility or care facility, if applicable. | |
| 95 | - | ||
| 96 | - | (c) (1) A county behavioral health director may develop training for procedures developed pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b). | |
| 97 | - | ||
| 98 | - | (2) If training is developed pursuant to paragraph (1), it shall be developed in conjunction with law enforcement. | |
| 99 | - | ||
| 100 | - | ||
| 101 | - | ||
| 102 | - | ||
| 103 | - | ||
| 104 | - | (a)A county behavioral health director may develop procedures for the countys mobile response system, which may include, but are not limited to, the handling of an emergency situation involving an individual with autism, a behavioral health issue, or another developmental disability. | |
| 105 | - | ||
| 106 | - | ||
| 60 | + | 16529.5. (a) A county behavioral health director may develop procedures for the countys mobile response system, which may include, but are not limited to, the handling of an emergency situation involving an individual with autism, a behavioral health issue, or another developmental disability. | |
| 107 | 61 | ||
| 108 | 62 | (b) If a county behavioral health director develops procedures pursuant to this section, those procedures shall include all of the following: | |
| 109 | 63 | ||
| 110 | - | ||
| 111 | - | ||
| 112 | 64 | (1) Deescalation techniques for an encounter with an individual that takes into account the individuals specific circumstances to preserve their safety and well-being. | |
| 113 | - | ||
| 114 | - | ||
| 115 | 65 | ||
| 116 | 66 | (2) The appropriate amount of force to use on an individual, as necessary. | |
| 117 | 67 | ||
| 118 | - | ||
| 119 | - | ||
| 120 | 68 | (3) Guidance and best practices regarding the transportation of an individual to their designated health care facility. | |
| 121 | 69 | ||
| 122 | - | ||
| 123 | - | ||
| 124 | 70 | (c) (1) A county behavioral health director may create training for procedures developed pursuant to subdivision (a). | |
| 125 | - | ||
| 126 | - | ||
| 127 | 71 | ||
| 128 | 72 | (2) Training developed pursuant to this section shall be developed in conjunction with law enforcement. |