Section 14700

(a) (1) It is the intent of the Legislature to transfer to the State Department of Health Care Services, no later than July 1, 2012, the state administration of Medi-Cal specialty mental health managed care, the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) Program, and applicable functions related to federal Medicaid requirements, from the State Department of Mental Health.

(2) It is further the intent of the Legislature for this transfer to occur in an efficient and effective manner, with no unintended interruptions in service delivery to clients and families. This transfer is intended to do all of the following:

(A) Improve access to culturally appropriate community-based mental health services, including a focus on client recovery, social rehabilitation services, and peer support.

(B) Effectively integrate the financing of services, including the receipt of federal funds, to more effectively provide services.

(C) Improve state accountabilities and outcomes.

(D) Provide focused, high-level leadership for behavioral health services within the state administrative structure.

(b) Effective July 1, 2012, the state administrative functions for the operation of Medi-Cal specialty mental health managed care, the EPSDT Program, and applicable functions related to federal Medicaid requirements, that were performed by the State Department of Mental Health shall be transferred to the State Department of Health Care Services. This state administrative transfer shall conform to a state administrative transition plan provided to the fiscal and applicable policy committees of the Legislature as soon as feasible, but no later than October 1, 2011. This state administrative transition plan may also be updated by the Governor and provided to all fiscal and applicable policy committees of the Legislature upon its completion, but no later than May 15, 2012.

(c) All regulations and orders concerning Medi-Cal specialty mental health managed care and the EPSDT Program shall remain in effect and shall be fully enforceable unless and until readopted, amended, or repealed by the State Department of Health Care Services, or until they expire by their own terms.