California residents will head to the polls March 5 to vote on a proposition on the primary ballot that aims to transform mental healthcare across the state.
Proposition 1 is a combination of two bills that would fund the modernization of California's mental health system. The bills were approved by the California Legislature and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September.
Senate Bill 326 would update the Mental Health Services Act to expand services and increase resources, while Assembly Bill 531 would designate $6.38 billion to build 10,000 new treatment beds and supportive housing units to serve over 100,000 California residents.
If approved, the ballot measure could cost the state up to $14 billion in its efforts to increase access to behavioral health services, the Los Angeles Times reported March 1. The proposition asks voters to approve the sale of $6.4 billion in government bonds to support more treatment facilities.
It would also increase the state's share of tax money from the Mental Health Services Act — which was first approved by voters in 2004 and funds 30% of California's mental health system — from up to 5% under current law to up to 10%, the report said, which would result in counties getting a smaller portion.