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Bill

SB 1028

Behavioral Health Crisis Response Advisory Group.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bob Archuleta

SB 1028 creates a California advisory group to coordinate behavioral health crisis response policies and improve mental health emergency services statewide.

From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.
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Bill Summary · SB 1028

Legislative bill overview

SB 1028 establishes a Behavioral Health Crisis Response Advisory Group in California to coordinate and improve the state's response to mental health and substance use crises. The bill creates a formal structure for stakeholders—likely including mental health professionals, first responders, and community organizations—to develop recommendations and best practices for crisis intervention systems.

Why is this important

California has experienced significant challenges with crisis response, including emergency department overcrowding, police involvement in mental health situations, and inconsistent mobile crisis team services across regions. This advisory group could standardize approaches, reduce unnecessary law enforcement contact with people experiencing mental health emergencies, and improve outcomes through evidence-based crisis response models like CAHOOTS and STAR that have shown success in other jurisdictions.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding and implementation: The bill's effectiveness depends on whether it includes dedicated funding and enforcement mechanisms, or if it remains advisory-only without binding authority or resources
  • Scope and representation: Questions about which stakeholder groups will have decision-making power versus advisory roles, and whether voices of people with lived experience of mental health crises are adequately represented
  • Coordination with existing systems: Potential overlap or conflict with existing California crisis response initiatives, regional differences in implementation, and whether recommendations will be voluntary or mandatory for local jurisdictions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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