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AB-73 • 2026

Mental Health: Black Mental Health Navigator Certification.

Mental Health: Black Mental Health Navigator Certification.

Budget Healthcare Labor
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
Jackson
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide detailed specifics about the exact nature of the training requirements, only that such criteria and specialized training requirements are to be developed.

Black Mental Health Navigator Certification

This law requires the Department of Health Care Access and Information to create a specialty certificate program for Black Mental Health Navigators, set training requirements, and track certification numbers and employment status.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the department to develop criteria for a specialty certificate program called 'Black Mental Health Navigator Certification'.
  • Sets up specialized training requirements that must be met by anyone who wants this special certification.
  • Needs the department to collect data on how many people get certified and are working as Black Mental Health Navigators each year.
  • Requires the department to share these numbers with everyone at least once a year.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Department of Health Care Access and Information
  • People who want to become Black Mental Health Navigators

Terms To Know

Community health worker
A person who helps connect their community with healthcare services.
Specialty certificate program
A special training course that gives a specific type of certification.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill needs money from the Legislature to be put into action.
  • It does not specify how many people will get certified or what kind of jobs they will have.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2026-01-31 California Legislative Information

    Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Held under submission.

  4. 2025-04-09 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

  5. 2025-03-26 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (March 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  6. 2025-02-03 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on HEALTH.

  7. 2025-01-06 California Legislative Information

    Read first time.

  8. 2024-12-13 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee January 12.

  9. 2024-12-12 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 73, as introduced, Jackson.
Mental Health: Black Mental Health Navigator Certification.
Existing law establishes, within the Health and Welfare Agency, the Department of Health Care Access and Information, which is responsible for, among other things, administering various health professions training and development programs. Existing law requires the department to develop and approve statewide requirements for community health worker certificate programs. Existing law defines “community health worker” to mean a liaison, link, or intermediary between health and social services and the community to facilitate access to services and to improve the access and cultural competence of service delivery.
This bill would require the department to develop criteria for a specialty certificate program and specialized training requirements for a Black Mental Health Navigator Certification, as specified. The bill would require the department to
collect and regularly publish data, not less than annually, including, but not limited to, the number of individuals certified, including those who complete a specialty certificate program, as specified, and the number of individuals who are actively employed in a community health worker role. The bill would make these provisions subject to an appropriation by the Legislature.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF