CA SB1238

Expands the definition of "psychiatric health facility" to include facilities providing 24-hour inpatient care for people with severe substance use disorders or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, with substance use disorder services included as medically necessary.

Allows psychiatric health facilities to admit persons with stand-alone severe substance use disorders only involuntarily under specified requirements, including offering medications for addiction treatment (MAT) or maintaining effective referral processes.

Updates regulatory standards to include three levels of disorder treatment (involuntary mental health, voluntary mental health, and involuntary substance use disorder) and requires the State Department of Health Care Services to establish new regulations by December 31, 2027.

Authorizes mental health rehabilitation centers to admit clients with severe substance use disorders only when meeting requirements such as maintaining ASAM certification and implementing approved MAT policies.

Requires the State Department of Health Care Services to establish updated regulations for facility designation requirements for involuntary treatment, developed in consultation with county behavioral health directors, providers, substance use treatment representatives, and patient advocates.