20250AB__007399INT INTRODUCED 2024-12-12 2025 AB INT Introduced by Assembly Member Jackson LEAD_AUTHOR ASSEMBLY Jackson

An act to add Sections 18998.15 and 18998.35 to the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to mental health. mental health Mental Health: Black Mental Health Navigator Certification. Existing law establishes, within the Health and Welfare Agency, the Department of Health Care Access and Information, which is responsible for, among other things, administering various health professions training and development programs. Existing law requires the department to develop and approve statewide requirements for community health worker certificate programs.

Existing law defines “community health worker” to mean a liaison, link, or intermediary between health and social services and the community to facilitate access to services and to improve the access and cultural competence of service delivery. This bill would require the department to develop criteria for a specialty certificate program and specialized training requirements for a Black Mental Health Navigator Certification, as specified.

The bill would require the department to collect and regularly publish data, not less than annually, including, but not limited to, the number of individuals certified, including those who complete a specialty certificate program, as specified, and the number of individuals who are actively employed in a community health worker role. The bill would make these provisions subject to an appropriation by the Legislature. MAJORITY NO YES NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION

Section 18998.15 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code , to read: 18998.15. (a)

(1) Pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (

a) of

Section 18998.1, the department shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature, develop criteria for a specialty certificate program and specialized training requirements for a Black Mental Health Navigator Certification.

(2) The department shall solicit stakeholder feedback on the criteria for the certificate.

(3) The department may engage a community-based organization with relevant expertise about mental health and wellness in Black communities to advise on or to develop the criteria. (

b) The Black Mental Health Navigator Certification specialty certificate program and specialized training shall include comprehensive training in mental health resources and awareness, including, but not limited to, entry-level assessments, crisis intervention training for nonemergency cases, navigation support, and culturally specific practices relative to delivering public health and mental health assistance to help connect individuals with state resources, licensed mental health professionals, and wellness services.

SEC.

Section 18998.35 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code , to read: 18998.35. (

a) Upon appropriation by the Legislature, the department shall collect and regularly publish data, not less than annually, including, but not limited to, both of the following:

(1) The number of individuals certified, and corresponding demographic information on the individuals certified, including those who complete a specialty certificate program and specialized training, by each type of certificate.

(2) The number of individuals who are actively employed in a community health worker role. (

b) This

section does not require the reporting of the names or personal identifying information.