Behavioral Health Overhaul Takes Effect In LA County

LOS ANGELES, CA — Los Angeles County officially transitioned Wednesday to California's Behavioral Health Services Act, a voter-approved overhaul of the state's behavioral health funding system that expands services for people with serious mental health and substance use disorders.

The transition implements Proposition 1, approved by California voters in March 2024, which replaced the Mental Health Services Act with the Behavioral Health Services Act, according to county officials.

The measure restructured existing mental health funding, expanded support for substance use disorder treatment and authorized $6.3 billion in bonds for behavioral health treatment facilities and housing.

County officials said the new law broadens collaboration between the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Public Health's Substance Abuse Prevention and Control Bureau while prioritizing funding for intensive treatment, housing assistance and behavioral health services.

"Many of BHSA's changes are administrative, which means consumers will experience a seamless transition to this new age of mental health care in Los Angeles County," Department of Mental Health Director Dr. Lisa H. Wong said in a statement. "Through BHSA, the state's new funding mechanisms allow us to expand specialized services, invest in innovative programs and broaden our reach to better provide hope, recovery and wellbeing for all."

Under the new funding structure, 35 percent of funding will support Full- Service Partnerships for people with the most significant behavioral health needs, 35 percent will fund behavioral health services and supports, including early intervention and outpatient care, and 30 percent will be dedicated to housing interventions for people experiencing chronic homelessness.

Officials said the transition was developed through planning sessions involving more than 220 stakeholder organizations. They said no clients will lose services during the phased implementation and that the changes are intended to create a more integrated, community-based behavioral health system while maintaining continuity of care.