CA SB1238

Requires the State Department of Health Care Services to conduct a comprehensive review and produce a report on current and projected behavioral health care infrastructure and service needs in each California region, beginning January 1, 2024, and at least every 5 years thereafter.

Mandates the department consult with councils of governments, cities, counties, and city-counties on methodology and assumptions before developing regional needs reports.

Requires local governments to provide behavioral health data including bed/slot counts, utilization rates, and unmet needs across 9 service categories: prevention, outpatient, peer/recovery, community supports, intensive outpatient, residential treatment, crisis services, intensive treatment, and school-based services.

Obligates the department to share reports and data with the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission.

Establishes that if the Commission on State Mandates determines the bill creates state-mandated costs, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts shall be made under existing statutory procedures.