Bill Text: CA AB826 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Emergency food assistance: COVID-19.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)

Status: (Vetoed) 2020-09-29 - Vetoed by Governor. [AB826 Detail]

Download: California-2019-AB826-Amended.html

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Amended  IN  Assembly  April 29, 2019

Amended  IN  Assembly  March 21, 2019

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 826

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Introduced by Assembly Member Reyes

February 20, 2019

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An act to amend Sections 14714 and 14717.1 of, and to add Sections 14717.05, 14717.2, and 14717.3 14717.2, 14717.25, 14717.3, 14717.35, and 14717.4 to, the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to Medi-Cal.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 826, as amended, Reyes. Medi-Cal: specialty mental health services: foster youth.

Existing law establishes the Medi-Cal program, which is administered by the State Department of Health Care Services (department), under which qualified low-income individuals receive health care services. The Medi-Cal program is, in part, governed and funded by federal Medicaid program provisions. Under existing law, specialty mental health services include federal Early and Periodic Screenings, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) services provided to eligible Medi-Cal beneficiaries under 21 years of age. Existing law requires each local mental health plan to establish a procedure to ensure access to outpatient specialty mental health services, as required by the EPSDT program standards, for youth in foster care who have been placed outside their county of adjudication, as described.

Existing law requires the department to issue policy guidance concerning the conditions for, and exceptions to, presumptive transfer of responsibility for providing or arranging for specialty mental health services to a foster youth from the county of original jurisdiction to the county in which the foster youth resides, as prescribed.

This bill would make those provisions for presumptive transfer inapplicable to foster youth placed in a group home or a short-term residential therapeutic program (STRTP) outside of their county of original jurisdiction, as specified.

The bill would instead require the California Health and Human Services Agency to issue, no later than July 1, 2020, policy guidance concerning the determination of the county of responsibility, defined as the county determined by the county placing agency through a specified process to be responsible for providing or arranging for specialty mental health services for a foster youth placed in an STRTP. Under the bill, determination of the county of responsibility would be applied on a case-by-case basis for each foster youth, based on a recommendation from the interagency placement committee, or other entity as permitted, that considers input from the child and family team. The bill would make conforming changes to provisions relating to mental health plans. By creating new duties for county placing agencies with regard to the determination of the county of responsibility, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The bill would prohibit the presumptive transfer of foster youth placed in a group home or an STRTP unless an exception is invoked, as requested by one of specified individuals or entities pursuant to certain criteria. The bill would make the county probation agency or the child welfare services agency responsible for determining whether invoking the exception is appropriate. The bill would set forth various notification requirements on the county placing agency and county mental health plans, and would require documentation of the request’s steps in the foster youth’s case plan. The bill would authorize a requester who disagrees with the county agency’s determination to request judicial review, as specified.

The bill would set forth procedural requirements for mental health assessments of the affected foster youth. Under the bill, and pursuant to federal law, a foster youth placed out of county would be entitled to continue their therapeutic relationship with prior treatment providers if the youth so chooses.

By creating new duties for county agencies with regard to processing requests for presumptive transfer, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The bill would require the department and the State Department of Social Services to adopt regulations by July 1, 2022, 2020, to implement the provisions concerning the county of responsibility, certain of the above provisions, and would authorize those departments to implement and administer those provisions through all-county letters, information notices, or similar written instructions until regulations are adopted.

The bill would condition implementation of those the presumptive transfer provisions on the availability of federal financial participation and the receipt of all necessary federal approvals. The bill would require the department to make a request for any necessary federal approvals no later than January 1, 2021.

The bill would require the department, in collaboration with the State Department of Social Services, to collect data, as specified, on the receipt of EPSDT specialty mental health services by foster youth who are placed outside of their county of original jurisdiction, and to report those data to the Legislature no later than December 31, 2020, and annually thereafter. would require that those data be included in a specified performance dashboard.

The bill would require the department to develop standardized forms and processes to be used by mental health plans when contracting with providers of EPSDT specialty mental health services, and to seek any federal waivers or state plan amendments necessary to carry out those duties.

The bill would require the department, no later than March 1, 2020, to create standardized forms to be used by counties for the purpose of simplifying the notification of presumptive transfers or waivers. The bill would require the department, no later than June 1, 2020, to work with the State Department of Social Services to determine the feasibility of automating forms for use by county child welfare agencies and county mental health plans, as specified. By requiring counties to use certain forms relating to presumptive transfers, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Digest Key

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: YES  

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Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 Section 14714 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

14714.

 (a) (1) Except as otherwise specified in this chapter, a contract entered into pursuant to this chapter shall include a provision that the mental health plan contractor shall bear the financial risk for the cost of providing medically necessary specialty mental health services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries.

(2) If the mental health plan is not administered by a county, the mental health plan shall not transfer the obligation for any specialty mental health services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries to the county. The mental health plan may purchase services from the county. The mental health plan shall establish mutually agreed-upon protocols with the county that clearly establish conditions under which beneficiaries may obtain non-Medi-Cal reimbursable services from the county. Additionally, the plan shall establish mutually agreed-upon protocols with the county for the conditions of transfer of beneficiaries who have lost Medi-Cal eligibility to the county for care under Part 2 (commencing with Section 5600), Part 3 (commencing with Section 5800), and Part 4 (commencing with Section 5850) of Division 5.

(3) The mental health plan shall be financially responsible for ensuring access and a minimum required scope of benefits and services, consistent with state and federal requirements, to Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are residents of that county regardless of where the beneficiary resides, except as provided for in Section 14717.1 or 14717.2. The department shall require that the same definition of medical necessity be used, and the minimum scope of benefits offered by each mental health plan be the same, except to the extent that prior federal approval is received and is consistent with state and federal laws.

(b) (1) Any contract entered into pursuant to this chapter may be renewed if the mental health plan continues to meet the requirements of this chapter, regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter, and the terms and conditions of the contract. Failure to meet these requirements shall be cause for nonrenewal of the contract. The department may base the decision to renew on timely completion of a mutually agreed-upon plan of correction of any deficiencies, submissions of required information in a timely manner, or other conditions of the contract.

(2) If the contract is not renewed based on the reasons specified in paragraph (1), the department shall notify the Department of Finance, the fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature, and the Controller of the amounts to be sequestered from the Mental Health Subaccount, the Mental Health Equity Account, and the Vehicle License Fee Collection Account of the Local Revenue Fund and the Mental Health Account and the Behavioral Health Subaccount of the Local Revenue Fund 2011, and the Controller shall sequester those funds in the Behavioral Health Subaccount pursuant to Section 30027.10 of the Government Code. Upon this sequestration, the department shall use the funds in accordance with the provisions of Section 30027.10 of the Government Code.

(c) (1) The obligations of the mental health plan shall be changed only by contract or contract amendment.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the mental health plan shall comply with federal and state requirements, including the applicable sections of the state plan and waiver.

(3) A change may be made during a contract term or at the time of contract renewal, when there is a change in obligations required by federal or state law or when required by a change in the interpretation or implementation of any law or regulation.

(4) To the extent permitted by federal law, either the department or the mental health plan may request that contract negotiations be reopened during the course of a contract due to substantial changes in the cost of covered benefits that result from an unanticipated event.

(d) The department shall immediately terminate a contract when the director finds that there is an immediate threat to the health and safety of Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Termination of the contract for other reasons shall be subject to reasonable notice of the department’s intent to take that action and notification to affected beneficiaries. The plan may request a hearing by the Office of Administrative Hearings and Appeals.

(e) A mental health plan may terminate its contract in accordance with the provisions in the contract. The mental health plan shall provide written notice to the department at least 180 days prior to the termination or nonrenewal of the contract.

(f) Upon the request of the director, the Director of the Department of Managed Health Care may exempt a mental health plan from the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975 (Chapter 2.2 (commencing with Section 1340) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code). These exemptions may be subject to conditions the director deems appropriate. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to impair or diminish the authority of the Director of the Department of Managed Health Care under the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, nor shall anything in this chapter be construed to reduce or otherwise limit the obligation of a mental health plan contractor licensed as a health care service plan to comply with the requirements of the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, and the rules of the Director of the Department of Managed Health Care promulgated under the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975. The director, in consultation with the Director of the Department of Managed Health Care, shall analyze the appropriateness of licensure or application of applicable standards of the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975.

(g) The department shall provide oversight to the mental health plans to ensure quality, access, cost efficiency, and compliance with data and reporting requirements. At a minimum, the department shall, through a method independent of any agency of the mental health plan contractor, monitor the level and quality of services provided, expenditures pursuant to the contract, and conformity with federal and state law.

(h) County employees implementing or administering a mental health plan act in a discretionary capacity when they determine whether or not to admit a person for care or to provide any level of care pursuant to this chapter.

(i) If a county discontinues operations as the mental health plan, the department shall approve any new mental health plan. The new mental health plan shall give reasonable consideration to affiliation with nonprofit community mental health agencies that were under contract with the county and that meet the mental health plan’s quality and cost efficiency standards.

(j) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to modify, alter, or increase the obligations of counties as otherwise limited and defined in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 5700) of Part 2 of Division 5. The county’s maximum obligation for services to persons not eligible for Medi-Cal shall be no more than the amount of funds remaining in the mental health subaccount pursuant to Sections 17600, 17601, 17604, 17605, and 17609 after fulfilling the Medi-Cal contract obligations.

SEC. 2.Section 14717.05 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, immediately following Section 14717, to read:

14717.05.

(a)It is the intent of the Legislature that all eligible youth, including youth in the state’s child welfare system, have timely access to adequate mental health care through the federal Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program. It is further the intent of the Legislature that, in order to fulfill this important responsibility, all mental health plans operating in the state employ uniform contracting processes and use standardized forms so as to facilitate efficient and effective provision of mental health services, by providers of specialty mental health services, to all youth, regardless of the county in which they are living.

(b)The department shall, in consultation with the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California, develop standardized forms and processes to be used by mental health plans when contracting with providers of EPSDT specialty mental health services.

(c)The department shall seek any federal waivers or state plan amendments necessary to carry out the duties set forth in this section.

SEC. 3.SEC. 2.

 Section 14717.1 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

14717.1.

 (a) (1) It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that foster youth who are placed outside of their county of original jurisdiction are able to access specialty mental health services in a timely manner, consistent with their individual strengths and needs and the requirements of federal Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) services.

(2) It is the further intent of the Legislature to overcome any barriers to care that may result when responsibility for providing or arranging for specialty mental health services to foster youth who are placed outside of their county of original jurisdiction is retained by the county of original jurisdiction.

(b) In order to facilitate the receipt of medically necessary specialty mental health services by a foster youth who is placed outside of their county of original jurisdiction, the California Health and Human Services Agency shall coordinate with the department and the State Department of Social Services to take all of the following actions on or before July 1, 2017:

(1) The department shall issue policy guidance concerning the conditions for, and exceptions to, presumptive transfer, as described in subdivisions (c) and (d), in consultation with the State Department of Social Services and with the input of stakeholders that include the County Welfare Directors Association of California, the Chief Probation Officers of California, the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California, provider representatives, and family and youth advocates.

(2) Policy guidance concerning the conditions for, and exceptions to, presumptive transfer shall ensure all of the following:

(A) The transfer of responsibility improves access to specialty mental health care services consistent with the mental health needs of the foster youth.

(B) Presumptive transfer does not disrupt the continuity of care.

(C) Conditions and exceptions are applied consistently statewide, giving due consideration to the varying capabilities of small, medium, and large counties.

(D) Presumptive transfer can be waived only with an individualized determination that an exception applies.

(E) A party to the case who disagrees with the presumptive transfer individualized exception determination made by the county placing agency pursuant to subdivision (d) is afforded an opportunity to request judicial review before a transfer or exception being finalized.

(F) There is a procedure for expedited transfer within 48 hours of placement of the youth outside of the county of original jurisdiction.

(c) For purposes of this section, “presumptive transfer” means that absent any exceptions as established pursuant to this section, responsibility for providing or arranging for specialty mental health services shall promptly transfer from the county of original jurisdiction to the county in which the foster youth resides, under either of the following conditions:

(1) A foster youth is placed in a county other than the county of original jurisdiction on or after July 1, 2017.

(2) A foster youth who resides in a county other than the county of original jurisdiction after June 30, 2017, and is not receiving specialty mental health services consistent with their mental health needs, requests transfer of responsibility. A foster youth who resided in a county other than the county of original jurisdiction after June 30, 2017, and who continues to reside outside the county of original jurisdiction after December 31, 2017, shall have jurisdiction transferred no later than the youth’s first regularly scheduled status review hearing conducted pursuant to Section 366 in the 2018 calendar year unless an exception described under subdivision (d) applies.

(d) (1) On a case-by-case basis, and when consistent with the medical rights of youth in foster care, presumptive transfer may be waived and the responsibility for the provision of specialty mental health services shall remain with the county of original jurisdiction if any of the exceptions described in paragraph (5) exist.

(2) A request for waiver in a manner established by the department may be made by the foster youth, the person or agency that is responsible for making mental health care decisions on behalf of the foster youth, the county probation agency or the child welfare services agency with responsibility for the care and placement of the youth, or any other interested party who owes a legal duty to the youth involving the youth’s health or welfare, as defined by the department.

(3) The county probation agency or the child welfare services agency with responsibility for the care and placement of the youth, in consultation with the youth and their parent, the youth and family team if one exists, and other professionals who serve the youth as appropriate, is responsible for determining whether waiver of the presumptive transfer is appropriate pursuant to the conditions and exceptions established under this section. The person who requested the exception, along with any other parties to the case, shall receive notice of the county agency’s determination.

(4) The individual who requested the exception or any other party to the case who disagrees with the determination made by the county agency pursuant to paragraph (3) may request judicial review before the county’s determination becoming final. The court may set the matter for hearing and may confirm or deny the transfer of jurisdiction or application of an exception based on the best interest of the youth.

(5) Presumptive transfer may be waived under any of the following exceptions:

(A) It is determined that the transfer would disrupt continuity of care or delay access to services provided to the foster youth.

(B) It is determined that the transfer would interfere with family reunification efforts documented in the individual case plan.

(C) The foster youth’s placement in a county other than the county of original jurisdiction is expected to last less than six months.

(D) The foster youth’s residence is within 30 minutes of travel time to their established specialty mental health care provider in the county of original jurisdiction.

(6) A waiver processed based on an exception to presumptive transfer shall be contingent upon the mental health plan in the county of original jurisdiction demonstrating an existing contract with a specialty mental health care provider, or the ability to enter into a contract within 30 days of the waiver decision, and the ability to deliver timely specialty mental health services directly to the foster youth. That information shall be documented in the youth’s case plan.

(7) A request for waiver, the exceptions claimed as the basis for the request, a determination whether a waiver is determined to be appropriate under this section, and any objections to the determination shall be documented in the foster youth’s case plan pursuant to Section 16501.1.

(e) If the mental health plan in the county of original jurisdiction has completed an assessment of needed services for the foster youth, the mental health plan in the county in which the foster youth resides shall accept that assessment. The mental health plan in the county in which the foster youth resides may conduct additional assessments if the foster youth’s needs change or an updated assessment is needed to determine the youth’s needs and identify the needed treatment and services to address those needs.

(f) Upon presumptive transfer, the mental health plan in the county in which the foster youth resides shall assume responsibility for the authorization and provision of specialty mental health services and payments for services. The foster youth transferred to the mental health plan in the county in which the foster youth resides shall be considered part of the county of residence caseload for claiming purposes from the Behavioral Health Subaccount and the Behavioral Health Services Growth Special Account, both created pursuant to Section 30025 of the Government Code.

(g) The State Department of Social Services and the State Department of Health Care Services shall adopt regulations by July 1, 2019, to implement this section. Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the State Department of Social Services and the State Department of Health Care Services may implement and administer the changes made by this legislation through all-county letters, information notices, or similar written instructions until regulations are adopted.

(h) (1) If the department determines it is necessary, it shall seek approval from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) before implementing this section.

(2) If the department makes the determination that it is necessary to seek federal approval pursuant to paragraph (1), the department shall make an official request for approval from CMS no later than January 1, 2017.

(i) This section shall be implemented only if, and to the extent that, federal financial participation under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396 et seq.) is available and all necessary federal approvals have been obtained.

(j) On and after the date on which Section 14717.2 is implemented, this section shall not apply to a foster youth who is placed in a group home or a short-term residential therapeutic program, as defined in paragraph (18) (13) or (18), respectively, of subdivision (a) of Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code, outside of the foster youth’s county of original jurisdiction.

SEC. 4.SEC. 3.

 Section 14717.2 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

14717.2.

 (a) (1)It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that foster youth placed in congregate care settings outside of their county of original jurisdiction are able to access specialty mental health services in a timely manner, consistent with their individual strengths and needs and the requirements of federal Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) services.

(2)It is the further intent of the Legislature to ensure that each foster youth who may be placed in a congregate care setting outside of their county of original jurisdiction have their specific needs and best interests considered, on a case-by-case basis, in order to determine whether their county of original jurisdiction or county of residence should be responsible for provision of, or arrangement for, specialty mental health services.

(b)(1)In order to facilitate the receipt of medically necessary specialty mental health services by a foster youth who is placed in a short-term residential therapeutic program (STRTP), as defined in paragraph (18) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code, outside of their county of original jurisdiction, the California Health and Human Services Agency shall coordinate with the department and the State Department of Social Services to issue, no later than July 1, 2020, policy guidance concerning the determination of the county of responsibility, as described in subdivisions (c) and (d), in consultation with the State Department of Social Services and with the input of stakeholders that include the County Welfare Directors Association of California, the Chief Probation Officers of California, the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California, provider representatives, and family and youth advocates

(2)The policy guidance concerning the determination of the county of responsibility shall ensure all of the following:

(A)The determination of the county of responsibility improves access to specialty mental health care services consistent with the mental health needs of the foster youth.

(B)The determination of the county of responsibility does not disrupt the continuity of care of the foster youth.

(C)Factors used to determine the county of responsibility are applied consistently statewide, giving due consideration to the varying capabilities of small, medium, and large counties.

(D)Determination of the county of responsibility by the county placing agency is applied on a case-by-case basis for each foster youth, based on a recommendation from the interagency placement committee, or other entity as permitted, that considers input from the child and family team.

(E)There is a procedure for expedited transfer within 48 hours of placement of the youth outside of the county of original jurisdiction.

(c)For purposes of this section, “county of responsibility” means the county determined through the process described in subdivision (d) to be responsible for providing or arranging for specialty mental health services for a foster youth placed in an STRTP.

(d)In conjunction with any assessment conducted pursuant to subparagraph (A), (B), or (D) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 11462.01, the county placing agency shall determine the county of responsibility. This determination shall, whenever possible, consider recommendations from the child and family team, and shall also take into account factors, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(1)Continuity of care and timely access to services provided to the foster youth.

(2)Impact on family reunification efforts.

(3)Expected duration of out-of-county placement of the foster youth.

(4)Distance between a foster youth’s residence and their established specialty mental health care provider in the county of original jurisdiction.

(e)If a foster youth is placed in an STRTP on an emergency basis pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (h) of Section 11462.01, determination of the county of responsibility by the county placing agency pursuant to subdivision (d) shall take place during, and subject to, the processes described in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (h) of Section 11462.01.

(f)If the mental health plan in the county of original jurisdiction has completed an assessment of needed services for the foster youth, and the county of residence is determined to be the county of responsibility, the mental health plan in the county in which the foster youth resides shall accept that assessment. In those instances, the mental health plan in the county in which the foster youth resides may conduct additional assessments if the foster youth’s needs change or an updated assessment is needed to determine the youth’s needs and identify the needed treatment and services to address those needs.

(g)If the county of residence is determined to be the county of responsibility, the mental health plan in the county in which the foster youth resides shall assume responsibility for the authorization and provision of specialty mental health services and payments for services. The foster youth transferred to the mental health plan in the county in which the foster youth resides shall be considered part of the county of residence caseload for claiming purposes from the Behavioral Health Subaccount and the Behavioral Health Services Growth Special Account, both created pursuant to Section 30025 of the Government Code.

(b) Foster youth placed in a group home or a short-term residential therapeutic program, as defined in paragraph (13) or (18), respectively, of subdivision (a) of Section 1502 of the Health and Safety Code, shall not be presumptively transferred, as defined in Section 14717.1, unless an exception is invoked pursuant to this subdivision.

(1) A request to invoke an exception in a manner established by the department may be made by the foster youth, the person or agency that is responsible for making mental health care decisions on behalf of the foster youth, the county probation agency or the child welfare services agency with responsibility for the care and placement of the foster youth, or any other interested party who owes a legal duty to the foster youth involving the youth’s health or welfare, as defined by the department.

(2) The county probation agency or the child welfare services agency with responsibility for the care and placement of the foster youth, with input from the child and family team if one exists, and in consultation with the foster youth and their parent, and other professionals who serve the youth as appropriate, is responsible for determining whether invoking the exception is appropriate pursuant to the conditions and exceptions established under this section. The person or entity that requested the exception, along with any other parties to the case, shall receive notice of the county agency’s determination.

(3) The individual or entity that requested the exception or any other party to the case who disagrees with the determination made by the county agency pursuant to paragraph (2) may request judicial review before the county’s determination becomes final. The court may set the matter for hearing and may confirm or deny the transfer of jurisdiction or application of an exception based on the best interest of the foster youth.

(4) An exception may be invoked, and presumptive transfer applied, for either of the following reasons:

(A) The foster youth’s case plan includes a transition to a home-based setting in the county of residence or within the same geographic region.

(B) The mental health plan in the county of residence requests presumptive transfer to directly serve the youth, and continued oversight and ensuring consistency of services can be provided through the members of the youth’s treatment team.

(c) (1) An exception may be applied at any point during the foster youth’s placement out of county, and the placing agency shall provide notification to the mental health plan in the county of residence within five business days.

(2) The mental health plan in the county of residence, upon the presumptive transfer, shall assume responsibility for the authorization and provision of mental health services consistent with federal Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) requirements, as defined in Section 1396d(r) of Title 42 of the United States Code, as well as the payment for services.

(d) A request to invoke an exception, the reasons claimed as the basis for the request, a determination whether an exception is determined to be appropriate under this section, and any objections to the determination shall be documented in the foster youth’s case plan pursuant to Section 16501.1.

(h)

(e) The department and the State Department of Social Services shall adopt regulations by July 1, 2022, 2020, to implement this section. Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), the department and the State Department of Social Services may implement and administer this section through all-county letters, information notices, or similar written instructions until regulations are adopted.

(i)

(f) (1) If the department determines it is necessary, it shall seek approval from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) before implementing this section.

(2) If the department makes the determination that it is necessary to seek federal approval pursuant to paragraph (1), the department shall make an official request for approval from CMS no later than January 1, 2021.

(j)

(g) This section shall be implemented only if, and to the extent that, federal financial participation under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396 et seq.) is available and all necessary federal approvals have been obtained.

SEC. 5.Section 14717.3 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

14717.3.

(a)The

SEC. 4.

 Section 14717.25 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, immediately following Section 14717.2, to read:

14717.25.

 The department shall, in collaboration with the State Department of Social Services, collect data on the receipt of Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) specialty mental health services by foster youth who are placed outside of their county of original jurisdiction. These data shall be reported to the Legislature, pursuant to subdivision (b), without any personal identifying information, included in the department’s Medi-Cal specialty mental health services performance dashboard, and shall contain, on the state level and for each county, and shall include, by placement type, all of the following:

(1)

(a) The number of foster youth placed out of county.

(2)

(b) The number of foster youth placed out of county who receive specialty mental health services.

(3)

(c) For foster youth placed out of county who receive specialty mental health services, the number of foster youth for whom the county of original jurisdiction is responsible for providing or arranging for those services, and the number of foster youth for whom the county of residence is responsible for that provision or arrangement.

(b)The department, in conjunction with the State Department of Social Services, shall report the deidentified data described in subdivision (a) to the Legislature, in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code, no later than December 31, 2020, and annually thereafter no later than December 31 of each year.

SEC. 5.

 Section 14717.3 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

14717.3.

 (a) If a foster youth is placed in a congregate care setting outside of their county of jurisdiction, and the county of jurisdiction retains responsibility for specialty mental health services, the placing agency shall inform, within three business days, the mental health plan in the county of residence.

(b) The county of residence shall communicate with its local organizational providers about the potential service requests and needs, as applicable, to ensure timely delivery of services, as required.

(c) For foster youth placed in a short-term residential therapeutic program or other congregate care facility outside the county of jurisdiction pursuant to the mental health program approval, a mental health assessment shall be completed or received by a licensed mental health professional within five calendar days of a youth’s admission.

(d) If relying upon a previously completed mental health assessment, the assessment is required to have been performed by a licensed mental health professional or an otherwise recognized provider of mental health services acting within their scope of practice, and is required to have been completed within 60 calendar days prior to admission. An exception is authorized in instances in which a licensed mental health professional determines it is more clinically appropriate to complete a more current mental health assessment. The mental health assessment shall include a mental health status examination.

(e) Pursuant to federal law, and regardless if the presumptive transfer is made, foster youth placed out of county shall be entitled to continue their therapeutic relationship with prior treatment providers if the youth so chooses, and any changes to treatment providers shall be made in consultation with the youth in the context of the child and family team, as defined in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 16501.

SEC. 6.

 Section 14717.35 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, immediately following Section 14717.3, to read:

14717.35.

 (a) The mental health plan in the county of jurisdiction shall notify the mental health plan in the county of residence of any third-party service provider if additional information must be obtained directly from the third-party service provider.

(b) The county mental health plan in the county of jurisdiction shall provide to the mental health plan in the county of residence both of the following:

(1) Contact information for the third-party service provider, if applicable.

(2) Any completed assessment or client plans.

SEC. 7.

 Section 14717.4 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

14717.4.

 (a) It is the intent of the Legislature that all eligible youth, including youth in the state’s child welfare system, have timely access to mental health care through the federal Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program. It is further the intent of the Legislature that, in order to fulfill this important responsibility, all mental health plans operating in the state use standardized forms so as to facilitate efficient and effective provision of mental health services by providers of specialty mental health services to all foster youth, regardless of the county in which they are living.

(b) The department shall, in consultation with the State Department of Social Services and stakeholders, and no later than March 1, 2020, create standardized forms that shall be used by counties for the purpose of simplifying the notification of presumptive transfers or waivers thereof, including in the case of foster youth placed in home-based care and foster youth placed in congregate care.

(c) The department, no later than June 1, 2020, shall work with the State Department of Social Services to determine the feasibility of automating forms through the child welfare automation data system for use by county child welfare agencies and county mental health plans.

SEC. 6.SEC. 8.

 To the extent that this act has an overall effect of increasing the costs already borne by a local agency for programs or levels of service mandated by the 2011 Realignment Legislation within the meaning of Section 36 of Article XIII of the California Constitution, it shall apply to local agencies only to the extent that the state provides annual funding for the cost increase. Any new program or higher level of service provided by a local agency pursuant to this act above the level for which funding has been provided shall not require a subvention of funds by the state or otherwise be subject to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.