CA AB1001

Requires general acute care hospitals to adopt policies and protocols by January 1, 2025 for behavioral health personnel to respond to patients with mental health or substance use crises, meeting standards established by the Department of Public Health.

Establishes minimum staffing requirements for behavioral health response including at least two registered nurses with psychiatric experience, one additional licensed staff member with psychiatric competency, and one staff member to address psychosocial needs.

Mandates hospitals maintain records on patients receiving behavioral health response care and hours of services for three years, and include this data in quarterly utilization reports to the department.

Creates the Behavioral Health Response and Training Fund administered by the Department of Health Care Access and Information to provide grants to public hospitals, county hospitals, and nonprofit hospitals for staffing and training in behavioral health response services.

Requires the department to evaluate the grant program and report findings to the Legislature annually beginning January 1, 2026, covering program expenditures, activities, and outcomes.