Committee continues ordinance to change Behavioral Health Commission membership

The Rules Committee on Nov. 6 continued an ordinance that would reduce the membership of the Behavioral Health Commission from 17 to 11 seats, shift appointment authority from individual supervisors to the full Board of Supervisors, require at least one seat be held by a veteran or veteran advocate, and reduce the number of seats reserved for consumers and families from nine to six.

Committee members and staff said the item requires additional amendments and stakeholder review to reconcile state law requirements with local changes. Chair Matt Dorsey said amendments were not ready and moved to continue the item to the call of the chair. A member of the public spoke in support of the continuance. On roll call, Vice Chair Shamann Walton, Supervisor Asha Safaei and Chair Dorsey voted to continue; the motion passed without objection.

Because the item was continued, no final composition changes or implementation dates were adopted at the committee meeting; the ordinance will return to committee when sponsors and stakeholders finalize amendments.