The passage of Proposition 63 (now known as the Mental Health Services Act or MHSA) in November 2004, provides the first opportunity in many years for the California Department of Mental Health (DMH) to provide increased funding, personnel and other resources to support county mental health programs and monitor progress toward statewide goals for children, transition age youth, adults, older adults and families.  The Act addresses a broad continuum of prevention, early intervention and service needs and the necessary infrastructure, technology and training elements that will effectively support this system.

This Act imposes a 1% income tax on personal income in excess of $1 million.  Statewide, the Act was projected to generate approximately $254 million in fiscal year 2004-05, $683 million in 2005-06 and increasing amounts thereafter.  Much of the funding will be provided to county mental health programs to fund programs consistent with their local plans.  Any uncommitted funds during FY 2005-06 will be used to establish county prudent reserve accounts as required by the Act. 

To provide for an orderly implementation of MHSA, DMH has planned for sequential phases of development for each of the six components of the Act.  An extensive stakeholder process is being employed to inform the state’s implementation efforts.  Improvement in client outcomes is a fundamental expectation throughout the implementation process.

Read the full text of the Mental Health Services Act in English or en Español.

Read the Vision Statement and Guiding Principles for DMH Implementation of the MHSA in English or en Español.

Stakeholders may be added to DMH mailing lists in order to learn about implementation of the MHSA. Please visit the MHSA Subscription page to subscribe or unsubscribe to MHSA email updates. Stakeholders may also subscribe by sending their names and mailing address to the California Department of Mental Health, 1600 Ninth Street, Sacramento, CA, 95814, ATTN: MHSA. Input or questions regarding the MHSA can also be directed to MHSA staff through the MHSA e-mail address: mhsa@dmh.ca.gov.