Senator Aisha Wahab’s Bills to Improve Behavioral Health Response to Fentanyl Crisis Pass Senate Health Committee

Sacramento, CA — Senator Aisha Wahab’s (D-Silicon Valley) behavioral health bills emphasizing substance use disorders, SB 1319 and SB 1320, both passed Senate Health Committee on Wednesday with unanimous bipartisan support.

“The fentanyl crisis—coupled with seniors as the fastest growing population of people with substance use disorders—makes clear that we must prioritize our behavioral health response and ensure people have access to the treatment they need and deserve,” said Senator Wahab, Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Safety.

SB 1319, Skilled Nursing Facilities, will streamline the process for converting unused skilled nursing facilities into behavioral health facilities to support individuals with substance use disorders. SB 1320, Behavioral Health Integrated Coverage, will ensure health plans and insurers establish a process to reimburse providers for mental health and substance use disorder treatments that are integrated with primary care. Both bills are part of the evidence-based approach to fentanyl in the Working Together for a Safer California Plan developed by the Senate.

Both bills will now head to Senate Appropriations, where they will likely go to the suspense file.

SB 1355, which extends the Medi-Cal renewal period for IHSS recipients from annually to every 3 years, also passed Senate Health today with bipartisan support.