03/26/2024
Assembly Bill 665 aims to provide all teens and tweens in California with equitable access to mental health care. Currently, young people 12 and older who receive health care through private health insurance plans are able to consent to outpatient mental health care on their own behalf. Youth on the Medi-Cal program cannot access mental health care on their own without approval from a parent or guardian, unless they meet a much higher need level.
AB 665 would give all youth 12 and older the same opportunity to access mental health care based on their own consent, regardless of insurance type. Let your government representatives know that youth need and deserve the autonomy to learn and grow in healthy and safe environments.
Rachel Velcoff Hults, Director of Health at the National Center for Youth Law, discusses how California's AB 665 can improve mental health outcomes
