In an election day referendum, Californians voted in favor of Proposition 63 (Prop 63), a one percent income tax increase for individuals earning over $1 million a year that will fund mental health services throughout the state. The tax will raise about $275 million this fiscal year and $800 million annually thereafter for a wide range of mental health services.

While the measure does not include dedicated funds for people in the criminal justice system, it does create funding opportunities for all mental health treatment programs, which may increase service for justice-involved people with mental illnesses. Programs which are eligible for funding include collaborative efforts between law enforcement and mental health agencies and re-entry programming.

To learn more about Proposition 63, click here.

Prop 63 is modeled after California's Assembly Bill 34 (AB 34), a 1999 legislative measure which established demonstration programs to reduce homelessness among people with mental illnesses, specifically targetting people released from prison and jail. All services funded through Prop 63 will be based upon the AB 34 program requirements. Some mental health experts believe that Prop 63 may be used to expand the AB 34 program beyond the demonstration sites, making its services available throughout the state.

To learn more about AB 34, click here.

The governor will appoint a 16-member Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission to approve the counties' spending plans. Committee members will include a mental health professional, state and local officials, mental health services consumers and a county sheriff.

53.4 percent of voters approved the measure. The tax increase will be effective January 2005.