Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) / Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA)

The Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) in California is being renamed the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) and will officially take effect on July 1, 2026 following the passage of Proposition 1 in March 2024. While the full implementation of BHSA takes place in July 2026, the transition has already begun, with new integrated planning requirements starting as early as January 1, 2025. This significant transition marks a pivotal change in the state’s approach to behavioral health, broadening the focus to encompass both mental health and substance use services. BHSA aims to enhance care for individuals experiencing homelessness or those with serious behavioral health needs, reflecting a commitment to address the growing complexities of mental health and substance use challenges within our communities. BHSA represents the first major structural reform of MHSA since its inception in 2004, which introduced a dedicated funding mechanism through a 1% tax on personal income over $1 million. The reforms under BHSA will expand the range of behavioral health supports available, ensuring a more comprehensive response to the diverse needs of Californians. By focusing on historical gaps in services and emerging policy priorities, the Behavioral Health Services Act seeks to provide a robust continuum of care, thereby enhancing access to essential resources and promoting recovery and well-being for all eligible individuals.

MHSA Resources:

• MHSA 2025/2026 Plan Update
• Annual Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Revenue and Expenditure Report
• DHCS Signed Certification Form 

BHSA Resources

• BH Transformation
• Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) 

Your feedback is important!

Summary documents were requested by our stakeholders in order to provide a quick reference to plan highlights and operations.  These include:

1. MHSA Plan Summary Highlights:  Reviews changes, plan progress and milestones, and key areas of planning development
2. Service Components Regional Grid: Organizes key programs across the MHSA service components by county region: Western, Mid-County, and Desert
3. MHSA and Planning Process Orientation: Provides some fundamentals about how MHSA is structured and how we seek and apply your feedback.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MHSA TOOLKIT.

SPANISH TOOLKIT 

The formal planning process, after the 30-day posting of the Plan, ends with a Public Hearing. This is an opportunity for your support, concerns, and ideas about Riverside County’s MHSA Annual Update Plan FY 25/26 to be formally stated and recorded. These comments become part of the actual plan document that is reviewed by the Riverside Behavioral Health Commission, adopted by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, and submitted to the California Department of Health Care Services.

This year, there are two ways to participate in the public hearing:

1)      Watch a public hearing video! Videos of the public hearing information will be posted 24/7 to RUHS-BH social media from, May 1 - 25, 2025.  These “Public Hearing in Your Pocket” videos can be watched anytime, and you can provide feedback using the electronic feedback form located on this page or call the voice mail feedback line.

2)      Attend an in-person public hearing! 

MHSA Feedback Form - Online Form

MHSA Feedback (English) - Print Out

MHSA Feedback (Spanish) - Print Out

In-person hearing flyer

What to expect:

• Thirty (30) days for public posting of the Draft 25/26 MHSA Plan on our Department page and through our social media accounts. Announcements are in English and Spanish and include a link to the full plan and the electronic feedback form.
• A video presentation of the MHSA Plan overview, similar to that of a standard public hearing, will be posted daily on all our social media accounts, including YouTube. Posts will include a link to the full plan, the electronic feedback form, and a voice mail telephone number. The presentation will be conducted in both English and Spanish and supported by a sign language interpreter.

In-person public hearings are scheduled and are preceded by public forums, where you can learn more about the MHSA plan prior to the hearing: