CA AB552

Establishes the Integrated School-Based Behavioral Health Partnership Program, authorizing county behavioral health agencies and local educational agencies to collaborate on providing school-based mental health and substance use disorder services to pupils with serious emotional disturbances, substance use disorders, or at risk of developing serious behavioral health conditions.

Requires county behavioral health agencies to provide licensed behavioral health professionals meeting specified licensing requirements, while local educational agencies must provide school-based locations and space for delivering services via in-person or telehealth methods.

Mandates that parents and guardians be notified of available services and allows them to opt out for children under 12 years of age, with privacy protections maintained throughout service delivery.

Establishes processes for serving privately insured pupils, including requirements that private plans and insurers reimburse for brief initial intervention services within specified timeframes (48 hours for urgent care, 10 business days for nonurgent care) or the behavioral health professional continues providing services.

Requires annual reporting by partnership programs to the State Department of Health Care Services and Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, with the commission providing triennial reports to the Legislature on program metrics and outcomes.