Agenda Report
June 13, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Legislative Policy Committee (May 24, 2022)
FROM: Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: AMENDMENT OF THE 2022 STA TE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
REGARDING MENTAL HEAL TH AND BEHAVIORAL HEAL TH
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended thatthe City Council:
1. Find that the proposed action is categorically not subject,to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 21065 of CEQA and Sections 15060 (c)(2), 15060 (c)(3), and 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines and, as such, no environmental document pursuant to CEQA is required; and
2. Amend the 2022 state legislative platform to include support for legislation which supports efforts to improve access to programs and services for mental and behavioral health, including frameworks that help people with mental health and substance use disorders get care and support .
LEGISLATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
At its May 24, 2022 meeting, the Legislative Policy Committee recommended the City Council approve the staff recommendation to amend the 2022 state legislative platform as described in the report. The committee also discussed adding similar language to the federal legislative platform. Staff conferred with the city's legislative advocate and confirmed there are no active bills in Congress related to mental and behavioral health.
Staff will continue to monitor federal legislation and will return to Council with federal legislative platform recommendations in the future.
BACKGROUND:
The City prepares a legislative platform each year to serve as the foundation for a focused advocacy strategy. The platform outlines the City's position on a broad range of MEETING OF __ 0_6_/_l_J_/ _20_2_2_ AGENDA ITEM NO. _ 1_4 __ _ Amendment of the 2022 State Legislative Platform
June 13, 2022
current issues providing staff and lobbyists with direction to pursue advocacy on these issues. Among the many issues included in this year's platform are priorities for healthcare services.
Staff recommends the City Council amend the state legislative platform to include support for legislation which supports efforts to improve access to programs and services for mental and behavioral health. The World Health Organization defines mental health as: "A state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his or her community." Several barriers to mental health care make it difficult for many individuals to achieve their best mental health.
Furthermore, staff recommends supporting legislation that puts mental health on par with physical health services and offers frameworks and tools that can help people with mental health and substance use disorders get care and support.
The recommended amendment adds a new section titled "Mental Health and Behavioral Health" (in Part II - Legislative Priorities) expressing City support for reforming state policies and enhancing programs that improves mental health and behavioral health services, including substance use disorders, by:
• Improving crisis care support systems
• Ensuring mental health benefit parity with physical health services • Creating new frameworks, support structures , and other innovative programs , including court ordered services, to help people with mental health and substance use disorders get the support and care they need • Modernizing and updating mental health definitions
• Supporting and expanding the mental health and behavioral health workforce • Training for first responders to engage safely with people living with mental illness
• Encouraging age-appropriate mental health education
COUNCIL POLICY CONSIDERATION:
Approval of the recommendation represents an amendment to the state legislative platform that guides advocacy strategies for regional, legislative, and funding request priorities supported by the City of Pasadena. Inclusion of support for legislation which improves mental health and behavioral health programs and services will support the City Council goals of promoting public safety and quality of life.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
The action proposed herein is not a project subject to CEQA , pursuant to CEQA Section 21065 and State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060 (c)(2), 15060 (c)(3), and 15378. The Amendment of the 2022 State Legislative Platform
June 13, 2022
involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. Therefore, the proposed action is not a "project" subject to CEQA, as defined in Section 21065 of CEQA and Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines. Since the action is not a project subject to CEQA, no environmental document is required.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds for the legislative advocate are included in the City Council's operating budget.
Concurred by:
YING-YING GOH, MD, MSHS
Director of Public Health & Health Officer
Department of Public Health
Approved by:
Attachment A - 2022 State Legislative Platform
(Redlined)
Respectfully submitted,
~~ PHillJPLELAIR
Acting Assistant City Manager