BHS Service Changes

The Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), enacted through California’s Proposition 1 in 2024, represents a major reform of the state’s behavioral health system and replaces the former Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). 

As Orange County prepares for BHSA implementation beginning July 1, 2026, the County must align with new state requirements that change how behavioral health funding can be used and how services are planned and delivered at the local level. 

Key changes under BHSA include:

• Transferring responsibility for certain statewide prevention efforts and behavioral health workforce development programs to the State, supported by a dedicated allocation of 10 percent of total BHSA revenues—an increase from the 5 percent previously set aside under the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA).
• Strengthening coordination across housing, healthcare, justice, and social service systems—including Medi-Cal managed care plans, federally qualified health centers, justice-serving organizations, county behavioral health departments, homelessness continuum of care providers, and state partners—to improve service alignment and ensure individuals are connected to the appropriate level of care.
• Expanding county behavioral health systems to provide more integrated services that include mental health and substance use disorder treatment, housing-related supports, and both evidence-based and community-defined practices across our continuum of care.

As a result of these changes, some of our programs are changing or being sunset as Orange County aligns with new state requirements.