CalVCB authorizes formal rulemaking to codify mental‑health billing guidelines into CCR §649.26

Senior Attorney Katie Rupp presented Item 6 and asked the board to authorize staff to begin the formal rulemaking process to convert portions of CalVCB’s mental‑health guidelines into regulations under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Rupp said the change is grounded in Government Code section 13957.2(a) and aims to segregate maximum rates and service limitations from guidance to avoid confusion and increase transparency. She described the rulemaking steps: a 45‑day public comment period, consideration of comments and possible revisions, and a potential additional 15‑ or 45‑day comment period depending on the magnitude of changes. Rupp noted a minor typo in the initial statement of reasons referencing §647.26 rather than §649.26; staff will correct that before filing.

The board voted to authorize the executive officer to begin the rulemaking process and to submit required documents to the Office of Administrative Law. Rupp said if adopted later the regulations would have an anticipated effective date of Jan. 1, 2027, but emphasized that public comment could alter the schedule or language.

What happens next: staff will file the proposed regulations and related documents with the Office of Administrative Law, begin the 45‑day comment period, and return to the board with any substantive revisions before final adoption.