(SACRAMENTO, CA) – The Assembly Committee on Higher Education passed AB 2017 by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) today on a bi-partisan vote of 10-0. The bill would create a competitive grant program for college campuses, with a match from the state, to increase mental health access for students at public post-secondary institutions. An appropriation of $40 million (Prop 63) would fund the program.
“College years are often filled with life changing experiences that can came with high levels of stress and anxiety, impacting a student’s mental health,” said Assemblymember McCarty. “Students at public colleges often lack access to mental health services which is why I am proud to partner with the Steinberg Institute to author AB 2017.”
"The Steinberg Institute has met with college students, faculty, and administrators from across California's public college systems and the message is clear, students desperately need access to mental health services," said Anna Hasselblad, Public Policy Director of the Steinberg Institute. "It is imperative that we create a full spectrum of care with active and coordinated linkages to mental health services and that all service providers are invested in improving outcomes for our students."
With 113 CCC, 23 CSU, and 10 UC campuses, totaling nearly 2.8 million students, student groups and associations across California are calling for increased access to appropriate mental health services. AB 2017 will create the College Mental Health Services Trust to fund competitive grants for mental health services for undergraduate and graduate students in the California Community College (CCC), California State University (CSU), and University of California (UC) systems.
AB 2017 will be heard next in the Appropriations Committee.