San Mateo County is seeking input and input from its residents in implementing California Senate Bill 43, which makes significant changes to the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, which governs the involuntary detention, treatment, and guardianship of individuals with behavioral health conditions.
Hosted by County Health’s Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, the listening sessions seek input from key stakeholders to develop the best approach to implementing the law, and to identify representative partners to join together to form a steering committee.
Although SB 43 will not be implemented until January 1, 2026, the listening sessions are the beginning of this collaboration.
The first listening session will be held on Thursday, May 9 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Central County Adult Outpatient Clinic, Room A51 – Multipurpose Room, located at 1950 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo.
The second listening session will be on Tuesday, May 21 from 2-4 p.m. at the South County Adult Walk-In Clinic, Room 100 – Multipurpose Room – 802 Brewster Ave. in Redwood City.
In the first change to California’s guardianship laws in more than 50 years, SB 43 expands the definition of those eligible for guardianship to include individuals who are unable to provide for their own medical or personal safety needs due to a severe substance use disorder or serious mental health issues. Individuals who meet the new criteria may be subject to involuntary holds of 72 hours or more and may also be placed in guardianship for several years.
“Currently, each county has flexibility regarding how this law should be implemented. Because implementation is challenging, San Mateo County has decided to begin the process as soon as possible and engage stakeholders in a collaborative process to determine how this law would best be implemented in San Mateo County,” said Scott Gruendl, deputy director of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services for the County of San Mateo.
Gruendl therefore invited residents to join in and give their opinion at the beginning of the process.
Other ways to contribute include completing and submitting a entry form, send text comments or recorded testimony to 650-586-2162, or submit written comments at an in-person session or by email to BHRS Deputy Director Scott Gruendl at sgruendl@smcgov.org.
You may also send written comments to SB 43 Input, 2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, Suite 235, San Mateo, CA 94403.
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