Proposition 1
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Advocacy
- As part of the modernization of the MHSA, counties should be engaging in community outreach and stakeholder engagement to draft County Integrated Plans (due in draft form in March 2026) to determine how Proposition 1/BHSA funds are spent. Local leaders determine how funds will be spent including Local Supervisors, Behavioral Health Directors, Mayors and City Leadership. It is imperative that NAMI affiliates and advocates inform local leaders on NAMI funding priorities based on the needs of your communities.
- NAMI California has developed a Proposition 1/BHSA Toolkit outlining where NAMI programs fall under BHSA funding, advocacy tips, and a customizable advocacy impact statement to demonstrate impact to County officials. Access the toolkit and learn more about where we are in the process of Proposition 1/BHSA implementation on our Quorum page.
Prop 1/BHSA Background
- California ballot proposition and state bond measure that passed on March 5, 2024
- Includes the Behavioral Health Services Act (Senate Bill (SB) 326 (Eggman, Chapter 790, Statutes of 2023), and the $6.4 billion Behavioral Health Bond (Assembly Bill (AB) 531 (Irwin, Chapter 789, Statutes of 2023) to support Californians living with the most significant mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) needs.
- Prop 1 amended the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), renaming the law the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) and incorporating the following changes:
- Expanding its scope to encompass treatment for substance use disorders.
- Modifying how revenue from the millionaire’s tax is allocated for behavioral health services.
- Changing the requirements for counties’ three-year program and expenditure plan for behavioral health services and outcomes.
- Revising accountability and transparency requirements for counties.
- Prop 1 also led to the $6.38 billion Behavioral Health Infrastructure Bond Act (BHIBA). This bond funds infrastructure development of treatment and supportive housing though the following programs:
- Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will administer $4.4 billion of these funds to provide grants to public and private entities for behavioral health treatment and residential settings. $1.5 billion of the funds administered by DHCS will be awarded only to counties, cities, and tribal entities (with $30 million set aside for tribes).
- The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) will administer up to $2 billion to support permanent supportive housing for individuals, including veterans, at risk of or experiencing homelessness and behavioral health challenges.