California Gov. Gavin Newsom highlighted major expansions to the state’s mental health infrastructure during his Jan. 8 State of the State address. Previously, mental health planning and funding were left to the counties with little oversight. But under new statewide programs, the state now directs resources and holds counties accountable for implementation.
Here are five key developments:
- Mr. Newsom launched the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Court program, a new legal framework to connect people with untreated mental health and substance use disorders to court-ordered services. The administration estimated that between 7,000 and 12,000 residents would qualify for the court, yet just 2,421 petitions have been filed through July 2025, with 528 of those resulting in treatment, according toCalMatters.com.
- Voters approved Proposition 1 in March 2024, amending California’s Mental Health Services Act and authorizing $6.38 billion in bonds for behavioral health treatment, facilities and housing.
- In the past 18 months, California has approved 4,236 locked and unlocked mental health beds and 18,875 outpatient treatment slots — nearly 70% of the new treatment beds the state promised, Mr. Newsom said in his speech.
- Beginning July 1, the second phase of Proposition 1 will redirect over $1 billion in annual mental health funding to support housing and treatment for people who are unhoused, according to the speech.
- Updates to California’s conservatorship laws — the first in more than 50 years — expand eligibility for individuals with severe mental illness or substance use disorder. The law now includes individuals who are “unable to provide for their personal safety or necessary medical care in addition to food, clothing or shelter, due to either severe substance use disorder or serious mental health illnesses.”
