AB 501 Summary

• Authorizes the State Department of Social Services to license "children's crisis residential programs" (short-term residential therapeutic programs) beginning no later than January 1, 2019, contingent on budget appropriation.

• Requires children's crisis residential programs to obtain mental health program approvals from the State Department of Health Care Services or county mental health plans and establish program standards including 24/7 staffing, facilities limited to fewer than 16 beds, and family involvement accommodations.

• Allows children's crisis residential programs to admit children experiencing mental health crises referred by parents, guardians, physicians, licensed mental health professionals, or public entities, without requiring approval from interagency placement committees that normally govern other residential placements.

• Expands the Investment in Mental Health Wellness Act of 2013 to include crisis residential treatment at children's crisis residential programs as an eligible use of competitive grant funds from the California Health Facilities Financing Authority.

• Requires the State Department of Health Care Services and State Department of Social Services to adopt implementing regulations by July 1, 2022, with authority to use informational notices and all-county letters until regulations are finalized.