(a) Commencing January 1, 2022, subject to subdivision (f) of Section 14184.102, the department shall continue to implement the Specialty Mental Health Services Program described in part in Chapter 8.9 (commencing with Section 14700), as a component of CalAIM and in accordance with this article and the CalAIM Terms and Conditions.

(b) Each mental health plan contracting with the department to provide specialty mental health services pursuant to Chapter 8.9 (commencing with Section 14700) shall comply with all applicable CalAIM Terms and Conditions and any guidance issued by the department pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 14184.102.

(c) (1) As a component of the Specialty Mental Health Services Program described in this section, the department, in consultation with counties and other affected stakeholders, may seek federal approval for a demonstration project under Section 1315(a) of Title 42 of the United States Code, which may include receipt of federal financial participation for services furnished to Medi-Cal beneficiaries during short-term stays for acute care in psychiatric hospitals or residential treatment settings that qualify as institutions for mental diseases. The department may elect to seek approval for this demonstration project to operate on a statewide basis or on a county-by-county basis.

(2) Notwithstanding any other law, to the extent that the department receives the necessary federal approvals to implement the demonstration project described in paragraph (1), and subject to approval by the Department of Finance, the department shall implement the demonstration in accordance with the terms of the federal approval and only to the extent that federal financial participation is available and is not otherwise jeopardized.

(3) For purposes of this subdivision, “institution for mental diseases” has the same meaning as set forth in Section 1396d(i) of Title 42 of the United States Code.

(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 47, Sec. 128. (SB 184) Effective June 30, 2022.)