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Bill

AB 73

Relating to: statutory recognition of specialized treatment court and commercial court dockets.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rob Brooks and 5 co-sponsors

Creates a Black Mental Health Navigator Certification as a specialty within California’s CHW system, with criteria, training, and annual data reporting contingent on funding.

Failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82
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Bill Summary · AB 73

AB 73 Summary — Mental Health: Black Mental Health Navigator Certification

What the bill would do

  • Establish a framework for a Black Mental Health Navigator Certification as a specialty certificate program within California’s health workforce training system. The Department of Health Care Access and Information (DHCAI), housed in the Health and Welfare Agency, would develop the certification criteria and specialized training, contingent on legislative appropriation.
  • Require DHCAI to solicit stakeholder input and, if appropriate, engage a community-based organization with relevant expertise to advise on or help develop the criteria.
  • Define the scope of the training to include comprehensive components focused on Black communities, such as entry-level mental health assessments, crisis intervention for nonemergency cases, navigation support, and culturally specific practices to connect individuals with state resources, licensed mental health professionals, and wellness services.

Key provisions

  • Creation of a specialty certificate program: Black Mental Health Navigator Certification, with criteria and training requirements developed by DHCAI (upon appropriation).
  • Training content: entry-level assessments, nonemergency crisis intervention, navigation support, and culturally specific public health/mental health practices to improve access and connect individuals to services.
  • Data collection and annual reporting: DHCAI would collect and publicly report data on:
    • The number of individuals certified (including those who complete the specialty certificate program), with demographic information by certificate type.
    • The number of individuals actively employed in a community health worker (CHW) role.
    • Personal identifying information would not be disclosed.
  • Appropriation dependency: All program activities and reporting would require an appropriation by the Legislature.

Who would be affected

  • Prospective and current Black Mental Health Navigators seeking certification.
  • Community-based organizations with expertise in Black mental health may serve as advisors.
  • Healthcare providers, public health agencies, and mental health systems that employ CHWs and navigators.
  • Consumers in Black communities who access mental health resources through navigators.

Relationship to existing law

  • Builds on existing California law that requires the department to develop statewide requirements for community health worker certificate programs.
  • Positions the Black Mental Health Navigator Certification as a specialty track within the broader CHW framework, enhancing cultural relevance and targeted access within Black communities.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced: December 12, 2024.
  • Recent status: In committee and held under submission (as of May 23, 2025).
  • Legislative actions track includes referrals to Health and Appropriations committees, with suspense-file consideration typical for budget-related provisions.
  • Fiscal impact: The provisions are contingent on appropriation; no ongoing funding is assumed without legislative action.

Potential implications

  • May strengthen culturally competent access to mental health resources for Black Californians.
  • Could expand the CHW workforce with a distinct certification pathway and standardized training.
  • Requires ongoing funding to develop criteria, administer training, and publish annual data.

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

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