The Assembly’s 2026-27 budget plan, released today, allocates $125 million from the 988 State Suicide and Behavioral Health Crisis Services Fund to fund mobile crisis teams dispatched through 988 centers.
The May Budget revision appears to maintain the January budget proposal to make mobile crisis programs an optional benefit, putting the future of these critical crisis services at risk.
When enhanced federal Medicaid funding expires in 2027, mobile crisis response may become an optional benefit—shifting costs to counties and putting service continuity at risk across California. Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2026-27 budget, released today, reflects a continued […]
In this past legislative year, Governor Newsom signed over 20 bills pertaining to behavioral health into law. Below outlines each bill—who wrote it, what it does, and the populations it impacts. We defined “behavioral health-related” as bills […]
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 […]
California cannot end homelessness without prioritizing our sickest, most vulnerable neighbors for care. Assembly Bill 348, authored by Assemblymember Maggy Krell and sponsored by the Steinberg Institute, is now on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk, and he has […]
On September 12, 2025, the Steinberg Institute, in partnership with eight other organizations, sent a coalition letter urging Governor Gavin Newsom to sign Assembly Bill 348 (Krell): California Big City Mayors Coalition California Behavioral Health Association Mental […]
The California Department of Insurance has adopted new rules to enforce mental health parity under SB 855, ensuring private insurers cover mental health and substance use treatment. Learn what the new regulations mean for access and accountability.
The third anniversary of 988 is a moment to reflect on its impact and why California’s investments in crisis care through AB 988 matter now more than ever.
On March 26, Senator Angelique V. Ashby (D-Sacramento) introduced Senate Bill 319, the Public Safety Transparency Act, to ensure the effective implementation of Proposition 36. The Steinberg Institute is sponsoring SB 319 and has identified it as one of our 2025 legislative priorities, aligning with our Vision 2030 goals of improving behavioral health outcomes and reducing criminal justice involvement for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders.