Senate Bill 2744 Summary

• Requires the State Department of Mental Health to establish a rating scale with performance indicators and conduct performance audits of community mental health centers at least once every two years.

• Authorizes the Department to place underperforming centers on nine-month probationary status and, if performance does not improve, replace the executive director and other officers with department-selected contractors.

• Mandates pre-affidavit screenings by community mental health centers before individuals can file for civil commitment, with strict limitations on using jails for detainees only when facilities are exhausted, court approves, and the person is actively violent.

• Restricts commitment to state-operated facilities when persons are already receiving treatment elsewhere unless the affiant proves by clear and convincing evidence that required treatment is unavailable at the current facility.

• Requires community mental health centers to report quarterly to county boards of supervisors on occupancy rates, pre-affidavit screenings, diversions from commitment, and cash balances, with the Department gaining control of excess cash balances if compliance targets are not met.