Mark Bontrager

The committee meeting focused on discussing proposed updates, or a refresh, to the 2024-2027 Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission strategic plan, necessitated by Proposition One and subsequent amendments to the Behavioral Health Services Act. Key discussion points included analyzing the provisions of the BHSA, identifying necessary refinements, and ensuring diverse stakeholder perspectives inform priorities. The discussion centered on four main priority areas: meeting the needs of people with the highest behavioral health needs (including capturing housing issues related to funding allocations), ensuring substance use disorders are incorporated throughout the commission's work, expanding peer behavioral health services, and building the evidence base for new statewide strategies (innovation). The committee is working within existing resources to align current work with the BHSA priorities.

The meeting began with roll call and quorum confirmation, followed by announcements regarding updates from the Budget and Fiscal Advisory Committee, Program Advisory Committee, and Legislative External Affairs Committee, which met on February 19th. Key updates included presentations on the 2025-2026 mid-year budget, spending allocations, performance measures for BHSA, and legislative bill considerations for 2026. The session included an extensive public comment segment focusing heavily on the importance of the peer workforce, concerns over low reimbursement rates for peer support specialists, and the potential impact of funding cuts on peer-run organizations. The committee also addressed the approval of previous minutes from December 17, 2025.

The session primarily involved public comments concerning the impact of funding cuts from BHSA and Proposition One on peer support services. Concerns were raised regarding the reduction of peer roles, the potential negative impact on vulnerable communities, and the effectiveness of fund centralization versus local trust-based services. Commenters requested increased meeting durations for substantive interaction, requested mass communication among participants, and advocated for technical assistance and fundraising development for peer-run organizations to diversify funding sources beyond state and medical funds. The implementation and necessity of peer support services within the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model were also discussed.

The meeting covered committee updates, including financial planning discussions from the Budget and Fiscal Advisory Committee and performance measure reviews by the Program Advisory Committee. Key discussion points included legislative strategy for the 2026 session, specifically addressing Assembly Bill 96 concerning the removal of the high school requirement for certified medical peer support specialists, and Assembly Bill 1540 regarding 988. A proposed budget cut to the statewide medical mobile crisis benefit was also reviewed. Public comment raised concerns about the impact of AB96 on certified peers' billing capacity and the coordination between local and state behavioral health groups.

The meeting commenced with roll call and officialization of the quorum, noting compliance with the Bagley Keen Open Meetings Act requiring remote participants to keep cameras on. Key announcements included a relaxation of Robert's Rules of Order to foster more open public comment and dialogue, and a commitment to share updates from the four other advisory committees to enhance awareness across groups. The committee planned to hear summaries of upcoming agenda items for the Budget and Fiscal Advisory Committee, the Legislative and External Affairs Advisory Committee, the Client, Family, Community Inclusion, Lived Experience, and Diversity Advisory Committee, and the Workplace Optimization Advisory Committee. The main presentation covered the Department of Healthcare Services Behavioral Health Transformation (BHT) performance measures, detailing 14 behavioral health goals established from legislation to guide planning and ensure accountability. The discussion focused on a population behavioral health approach, including the use of data and Medical Legal Connect to identify and engage individuals who might benefit from services, and strategies to reduce disparities. Finally, the minutes from the December 15, 2025 provider advisory committee meeting were reviewed and approved.