Assembly Member Ramos's proposal to enhance California's Family Urgent Response System would authorize county behavioral health directors to develop specialized emergency response procedures for individuals with autism, behavioral health issues, and developmental disabilities.

The legislation outlines specific requirements for these county-level procedures, including deescalation techniques tailored to individual circumstances, guidelines for appropriate use of force, and protocols for transporting individuals to healthcare facilities. County behavioral health directors would have the option to create corresponding training programs, which must be developed in partnership with local law enforcement agencies.

This measure builds upon the existing statewide system, which currently operates through a centralized hotline that connects caregivers and foster youth with county-based mobile response teams during periods of instability. These teams currently provide stabilization services and work to preserve caregiver-youth relationships. The proposed procedures would add specific protocols for responding to emergencies involving individuals with autism, behavioral health issues, or developmental disabilities within this established framework.