On October 13, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 348 (Krell) into law — a milestone achievement in ensuring California’s most vulnerable populations get immediate access to “whatever it takes” mental health care.
The Steinberg Institute proudly sponsored AB 348 alongside the California Big City Mayors Coalition and the California Behavioral Health Association. This law sets a new standard for caring for California’s homeless who are struggling with mental illness and addiction challenges by ensuring that our most vulnerable populations get immediate access to “whatever it takes” treatment, Full Service Partnerships (FSPs).
“Timely access to care can make all the difference in recovery. AB 348 ensures people who need FSPs the most get that care immediately.”
Karen Larsen, CEO, Steinberg Institute
This legislation directly advances our Vision 2030 goals to reduce homelessness, incarceration, and hospitalization for Californians living with serious behavioral health conditions.
Why AB 348 Matters
For too many Californians living with serious mental illness or substance use disorders, the path to care is obstructed by complex eligibility criteria, fragmented systems, and bureaucratic delays. These barriers especially affect those unhoused or cycling through jails or hospitals.
“I want to thank Governor Newsom for signing AB 348, which establishes presumptive eligibility for Full Service Partnership (FSP) programs so Californians with the most serious mental health needs can access timely, intensive, community-based care. This is a major step forward in ensuring our most vulnerable residents receive the treatment and support they deserve. I also want to thank former Sacramento Mayor, Darrell Steinberg and Assemblymember Maggie Krell for being champions for expanding access to behavioral and mental health care.”
Mayor of Riverside and Chair of the Big City Mayors Coalition, Patricia Lock Dawson
AB 348 removes these barriers, ensuring that people who need care the most can get it without delay. The law establishes uniform, presumptive eligibility criteria for FSPs — California’s most intensive “whatever it takes” mental health programs — so that individuals cycling through homelessness, jails, and hospitals can access care immediately.
What Are Full Service Partnerships (FSPs)?
FSPs are California’s most comprehensive outpatient treatment programs for people with serious mental illness or substance use disorder. They go beyond traditional mental health care through a “whatever it takes” model that integrates services to support long-term recovery and stability, including:
- Behavioral health treatment
- Housing support
- Employment or vocational assistance
- 24/7 crisis intervention
FSPs are evidence-based, consistently shown to reduce homelessness, incarceration, and hospitalization among participants.
Looking Ahead
Even as we celebrate, our work continues. Implementation will require close coordination among counties, behavioral health agencies, and service providers to ensure every eligible person is connected to FSP care without delay. We will continue to monitor outcomes and uphold accountability so that the promise of AB 348 becomes a reality for individuals and communities across California.
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This law would not have been possible without collaboration. We extend deep gratitude to:
- Assemblymember Maggy Krell, author of the bill
- The California Big City Mayors Coalition
- The California Behavioral Health Association
- Governor Newsom and the Legislature for championing this change