AB 712

This bill requires, instead of allows as under current law, the Department of

Health Services (DHS) to accept evidence of accreditation of an outpatient mental

health clinic by certain organizations as equivalent to the standard established by

DHS for the purpose of certifying the facility for reimbursement under the Medical

Assistance program or community aids funding or as mandated coverage of nervous

and mental disorders and alcoholism and other drug abuse. The bill subjects DHS's

certification to renewal at the same time the accreditation is due for renewal. The

bill requires the DHS to waive an on-site inspection for renewal certification of an

outpatient mental health clinic if the clinic is accredited by a specified accrediting

body and satisfies certain other criteria. Under current law, DHS certifies outpatient

mental health clinics. DHS has promulgated rules on the certification process. DHS

rules allow DHS to conduct an on-site inspection of an outpatient mental health

clinic but require that DHS waive the on-site inspection if the outpatient mental

health clinic holds current accreditation from a national accrediting body that has

developed standards for outpatient mental health clinics and if certain other criteria

apply.