In addition to the activities authorized under Section 5845, the commission may establish a fellowship program in accordance with this section for the purpose of providing an experiential learning opportunity for a mental health consumer and a mental health professional.

(a) Participants in the fellowship shall serve on an annual basis and may serve only one term as a fellow.

(b) The fellowship program established under this section shall support the broad goals of the commission, including, but not limited to, subdivision (d) of Section 5846, and be based upon the following principles:

(1) To enhance opportunities for the work of the commission to reflect the perspective of persons with personal experience and state-of-the-art practices in the mental health field.

(2) To strengthen opportunities for the goals of the Mental Health Services Act, and the work of the commission in promoting those goals, to be accessible and understandable to mental health consumers, mental health professionals, and the general public.

(3) To improve opportunities for outreach and engagement with mental health consumers and mental health professionals relating to the work of the commission.

(4) To increase the awareness for mental health consumers and professionals of the goals of the Mental Health Services Act and the role of the state in meeting those goals; the role of public policy, regulation development, fiscal strategies, use of data, research, and evaluation; and communication strategies to improve mental health outcomes in California.

(c) The commission shall establish an advisory committee to provide guidance on the fellowship program goals, design, eligibility criteria, application process, and other issues as the commission deems necessary. The advisory committee shall include persons with personal experience with the mental health system, mental health professionals, persons with experience with similar fellowship programs, and others with diverse perspectives who can assist the commission to meet the goals of the fellowship program.

(d) The commission may enter into an interagency agreement or other contractual agreement with a state, local, or private entity, as determined by the commission, to receive technical assistance or relevant services to support the establishment and implementation of the fellowship program.

(e) The commission shall ensure that the fellowship program does not cause the displacement of any civil service employee. For purposes of this subdivision, “displacement” means a layoff, a demotion, an involuntary transfer to a new class, an involuntary transfer to a new location requiring a change of residence, a time base reduction, a change in shift or days off, or a reassignment to another position within the same class and general location.

(Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 412, Sec. 1. (AB 1134) Effective January 1, 2018.)