Behavioral health centers, facilities, and programs: background checks.

Children Crime Education Labor Parental Rights

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Alanis
Last action: 2026-01-27
Official status: In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on the cost or if the bill has been signed into law.

Background Checks for Behavioral Health Workers

The bill requires people who work at behavioral health centers, facilities, and programs to undergo background checks before they can provide treatment.

What This Bill Does

Requires workers in behavioral health centers, facilities, and programs to get a criminal background check.

Who It Names or Affects

People who work in behavioral health centers, facilities, and programs
Local agencies responsible for enforcing background checks

Terms To Know

Background check: A process to find out if someone has a criminal history or other information about their past.
Behavioral health center, facility, or program: Places that provide mental health and substance abuse treatment services.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify the cost of conducting background checks.
It is unclear if the bill has been signed into law yet.

Bill History

2026-01-27 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-01-26 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 76. Noes 0. Page 3829.)
2026-01-22 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-01-22 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (January 22).
2026-01-22 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.
2026-01-22 California Legislative Information
Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Page 3806.)
2026-01-13 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (January 13). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-01-13 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on HUM. S. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (January 13). Re-referred to Com. on HUM. S.
2026-01-08 California Legislative Information
(Pending re-refer to Com. on HUM. S.)
2026-01-08 California Legislative Information
Assembly Rule 56 suspended. (Page 3717.)
2026-01-08 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and HUM. S. pursuant to Assembly Rule 96.
2026-01-06 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on HUM. S.
2026-01-05 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HUM. S. Read second time and amended.
2025-05-01 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2025-04-23 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on HUM. S.
2025-04-22 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HUM. S. Read second time and amended.
2025-02-21 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on HUM. S.
2025-02-20 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on HUM. S. Read second time and amended.
2025-02-10 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on HUM. S. and PUB. S.
2025-01-22 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee February 21.
2025-01-21 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 277, as amended, Alanis.
Behavioral health centers, facilities, and programs: background checks.
Existing law generally provides requirements for the licensing of business establishments. Existing law requires a business that provides services to minors, as defined, to provide written notice to the parent or guardian of a minor participating in the service offered by the business regarding the business’ policies relating to criminal background checks for employees, as specified.
Existing law requires the Department of Justice to maintain state summary criminal history information, as defined, and to furnish this information as required by statute to specified entities, including a human resource agency or an employer. Under existing law, the disclosure of state summary criminal history information to an unauthorized person is a crime.
This bill would require a person who provides behavioral
health treatment for a behavioral health center, facility, or program to undergo a background check, as specified. By expanding the scope of the crime of unlawful disclosure of state summary criminal history information, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF