All children in California deserve access to mental health services to live full and thriving lives, and care for their emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing.

Under current statute, youth ages 12 and older who receive health care through Medi-Cal are blocked from accessing mental health treatment on their own and without parental involvement unless they are in serious danger. Youth ages 12 and older covered under other insurance providers are able to consent to outpatient mental health treatment.  This inequity can lead to barriers for some youth to receive care, including delaying or forgoing critical care they need.

This bill amends the statute so all California youth 12 and older can easily access mental health care and removes inequities for youth receiving health care through Medi-Cal.