Governor Signs Legislation to Strengthen End-of-Life Care Protections

SB 989 ensures that people who need mental health treatment are referred to courts to receive services 

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday signed legislation by Sen. Catherine S. Blakespear, D-Encinitas, to increase access to court-ordered mental health treatment for people who need it. 

In 2023, the state established special court proceedings through the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act, known as CARE Court, to help people with schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders. The court provides them with a comprehensive CARE plan that relies on public aid systems to deliver medication, services and housing. 

SB 989 improves access to CARE Court by authorizing first responders to request that counties review and file CARE Court petitions on their behalf, rather than requiring the first responders to file directly with the court, which can be time-consuming and complicated. 

First responders often encounter people with serious mental health problems, but following up to get those people signed up for, and entered, into CARE Court can require resources and a time commitment than first responders frequently don’t have.  

“I thank the Governor for signing SB 989, which helps provide the access to mental health treatment that is needed by many to stabilize their lives and quit living on the streets and frequenting emergency rooms and local clinics,” Sen. Blakespear said. “We need to ensure that everyone who is eligible for CARE Court is getting the opportunity to access it.”

CARE Court began in eight counties in 2023 and was fully implemented in all California counties by December 2024, but participation in CARE Court has lagged far below initial projections. According to CalMatters, only 3,817 CARE Court petitions had been filed in the state through the end of January 2026, much lower than the 7,000-12,000 a year first expected. 

The legislation is sponsored by California Professional Firefighters (CPF) and supported by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). 

SB 989 passed the Legislature without opposition and takes effect on Jan. 1, 2027.  

Sen. Blakespear represents Senate District 38, which covers northern San Diego County and southern Orange County. To learn more about the district and Sen. Blakespear, visit her Senate website.