Important Legislative Update for Local 2620 Members

Greetings, AFSCME family,

We want to make you aware of an important issue that emerged in the Legislature on Monday, April 21, 2026, which has serious implications for our workforce and the future of California state service.

The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety held a hearing on the Coleman Mental Health Receiver Action Plan and related budget proposals. The hearing materials identified recommendations to increase recruitment of out-of-state mental health clinicians, eliminate California licensure requirements for certain out-of-state providers working in CDCR, and hire tele-mental health providers from outside California and allow them to continue to work from outside of California. The materials also referenced concerns raised by AFSCME regarding the use of contractors in place of state civil servants. We are attaching the hearing agenda and materials to this eblast for your review.

We are sharing this as an early alert so members know we're discussing this issue now. At this stage, many details are still developing, and we do not want to overstate what is known. However, we believe it is important to inform members early and make clear that we are paying close attention.

These discussions present serious concerns. When the State considers out-of-state hiring, expanded remote staffing, and contractor models as possible solutions, it raises broader questions about protecting the state civil service, the value of California licensure, and whether California is truly committed to investing in and retaining its own public workforce. Left unchecked, this direction could weaken the long-term stability of California’s public workforce and undermine the State’s responsibility to build and retain a strong workforce here at home.

Members should know that we are actively monitoring this issue. We are working with AFSCME Council 57 staff and helping develop a broader coalition with other state and local unions to ensure labor is prepared to respond collectively if needed.

At this time, no immediate action is requested of members. But we do want members to stay informed and be prepared. As more information becomes available, we will share additional updates and any next steps.

Please stay tuned for further communication from Local 2620.

Thank you for your attention and continued solidarity.

Carl L Miller JD, LCSW (MA), LCSW (CA)

Interim President

AFSCME Local 2620