SB-823 • 2026

Mental health: the CARE Act.

Education Housing

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Stern
Last action: 2026-02-02
Official status: Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not specify details about asking courts for extra support or requirements on providing services by county health agencies.

Expanding CARE Act Services

This law adds bipolar I disorder to the list of mental health conditions that qualify for special care services under the CARE Act.

What This Bill Does

Adds bipolar I disorder to the types of mental illness that can get help from the CARE Act.

Who It Names or Affects

Adults with severe mental illnesses, including those with bipolar I disorder
County behavioral health agencies that must provide care

Terms To Know

CARE Act: A law that helps people with serious mental illnesses get extra support from the government.
State-mandated local program: When the state tells counties they must do something, and pays for some of it.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how much money will be given to help with these new services.
It is unclear who will pay for extra costs if more people qualify for CARE Act services.

Bill History

2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
May 23 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.
2025-05-16 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing May 23.
2025-04-28 California Legislative Information
April 28 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
2025-04-17 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 28.
2025-04-10 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 0. Page 738.) (April 9). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-04-02 California Legislative Information
Set for hearing April 9.
2025-03-12 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on HEALTH.
2025-02-24 California Legislative Information
Read first time.
2025-02-24 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 24.
2025-02-21 California Legislative Information
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 823, as introduced, Stern.
Mental health: the CARE Act.
Existing law, the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act, authorizes specified adult persons to petition a civil court to create a voluntary CARE agreement or a court-ordered CARE plan and implement services, to be provided by county behavioral health agencies, to provide behavioral health care, including stabilization medication, housing, and other enumerated services, to adults who are currently experiencing a severe mental illness and have a diagnosis identified in the disorder class schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, and who meet other specified criteria.
This bill would include bipolar I disorder in the criteria for a person to receive services under the CARE Act. By increasing the duties on the county behavioral health agencies, 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, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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