SB 1009 Summary

• Transfers mental health administrative functions from the State Department of Mental Health to the State Department of Health Care Services and State Department of Social Services, effective July 1, 2012, implementing statewide realignment of mental health responsibilities.

• Shifts licensing authority for psychiatric health facilities from the State Department of Mental Health to the State Department of Social Services, and transfers oversight of group homes and community treatment facilities to the State Department of Health Care Services.

• Requires clinics providing Medi-Cal specialty mental health services to become certified (rather than licensed) as a condition for reimbursement and transfers administration of mental health services for Medi-Cal beneficiaries to the State Department of Health Care Services.

• Abolishes the Licensing and Certification Fund for Mental Health and creates the Mental Health Facility Licensing Fund to support mental health licensing and certification functions under the State Department of Social Services.

• Makes conforming changes to mental health managed care contracting procedures, audit exception processes, and quality assurance requirements, removing a 3-year limitation on mental health plan contract renewals and allowing the department to increase withholding amounts beyond 25% to comply with federal requirements.