The Legislation
Assembly Bill 1331 (Irwin) – Mental health: Statewide Director of Crisis Services.
Assembly Member Jacqui Irwin introduced AB 1331 to establish a new position at the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to focus on establishing and monitoring a comprehensive crisis care system that ensures Californians receive the care they deserve in the most expedient way possible. NAMI California is a co-sponsor of this bill with The California Hospital Association.
Read NAMI California’s letter signing on to co-sponsor AB 1331.
Why We Need It
In many communities, behavioral health crisis services are delivered too late — either by law enforcement or in hospital emergency departments.
California has never had a comprehensive, integrated network of services on which people in a mental health or substance use disorder crisis can rely. Instead, we have a complex patchwork of state and local agencies involved at different touch points, with services that vary by county and based on whether a person is covered by Medi-Cal or private insurance. As a result, people in a behavioral health crisis too often face arrest, involuntary detention, multiple hospitalizations, homelessness, and even early death.
Petition to Support AB 1331
NAMI California supports Letter AB 1331 to establish a new position at the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to improve our crisis care system. You can help support this legislation by signing the support letter.
Sign the petition30-Second Survey: Crisis Response
Have you had to access emergency response/crisis services to get help for yourself or a loved one? How was the response? What would have improved the experience? Share your answers with our 30-second survey on crisis response.