State, Local Governments Preparing to Take First Steps After Proposition 1’s Passage

A man stands in front of a homeless encampment in Los Angeles on Sept. 23, 2019. Supporters of Prop. 1 see it as a way to address the root cause of homelessness. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

After voters narrowly approved a $6.8 billion bond package considered a “signature priority” by California Gov. Gavin Newsom to fund mental health treatment, the state and some cities are preparing to implement the new law.

“This is the biggest reform of the California mental health system in decades and will finally equip partners to deliver the results all Californians need and deserve,” Mr. Newsom said in a March 21 press release after the secretary of state announced the proposition’s passage. “Treatment centers will prioritize mental health and substance use support in the community like never before.”

Proposition 1—which will supply more than 11,000 beds and housing units and develop 26,700 outpatient treatment opportunities—passed with a slim majority of fewer than 30,000 out of more than 7 million votes cast during the primary election March 5.

With the measure now state law, the governor said he is looking to collaborate with local governments to expedite progress of the intended outcomes.

“Now, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and begin implementing this critical reform—working closely with city and county leaders to ensure we see results,” Mr. Newsom said.

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, the original author of the Mental Health Services Act—a proposal passed in 2004 that increased taxes on those making more than $1 million annually to fund treatment—said voters acted courageously in passing Prop 1.

“Twenty years ago, I never could have dreamed that we would have the strong leadership we have today, committing billions and making courageous policy changes that question the conventional wisdom on mental health,” Mr. Steinberg said in the governor’s press release.

He said the bond package will allow the state to follow through on commitments made decades ago.

“California is delivering on decades-old promises to help people living with brain-based illnesses to live better lives, to live independently, and to live with dignity in our communities,” Mr. Steinberg said. “This is a historic moment and the hard work is ahead of us.”

Two bills passed by the Legislature last year made up the language of Prop 1, and both authors expressed their gratitude to the governor and Californians for approving the plan.

“Today marks a day of hope for thousands of Californians who are struggling with mental illness—many of whom are living unhoused,” state Sen. Susan Eggman, author of Senate Bill 326, said in Mr. Newsom’s press release. “I am tremendously grateful to my fellow Californians for passing this important measure.”

Her legislative colleague agreed while saying that much work remains to be done to address homelessness and mental health issues.

“This started as an audacious proposal to address the root cause of homelessness and today, Californians can be proud to know that they did the right thing by passing Proposition 1,” Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, author of Assembly Bill 531, said in the same press release. “Now, it’s time for all of us to get to work, and make sure these reforms are implemented and that we see results.”

San Francisco officials thanked state lawmakers and the governor and said leaders are already working to identify resources and opportunities for improvement in the city.

“The passage of Prop 1 is a major step forward for California cities that need more support to meet the challenges around addiction and mental health we are seeing on our streets,” said Mayor London Breed in a March 21 press release. “Now we begin the hard work to deliver for San Francisco.”

Action is imminent, she said, while highlighting the need to act swiftly.

“When major opportunities arise to make real change in our city, whether that’s changes to our mental health laws or more resources becoming available, we have to be aggressive and proactive,” Ms. Breed said.

One supervisor supportive of the proposition said the city could benefit immensely from the bond package.

“Proposition 1 presents San Francisco with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure mental health resources for our most vulnerable residents,” said Supervisor Rafael Mandelman. “I am grateful to the mayor for convening the working group, and I look forward to continuing to work with her and her departments to make the most of Prop 1 and to pursue all other available resources to get severely mentally ill San Franciscans off the streets and into care.”

Public health officials said the city plans to expand supportive services aimed at treating substance abuse disorders.

“With this necessary investment from the state, San Francisco will have access to much needed, additional treatment and mental health in-patient beds and resources,” Dr. Grant Colfax, San Francisco’s director of public health, said in the mayor’s press release. “We will aggressively work with city partners to leverage this opportunity to provide people the treatment, care and housing they need.”