Kentucky Senate Bill SCR110

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/18/26
• Refer: 2/18/26

Caption

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION establishing the Mental Health Alternative Community Response Model Task Force.

Summary

SCR110 is a concurrent resolution that creates the Mental Health Alternative Community Response Model Task Force. The resolution states that many Kentuckians experience mental health conditions and that mental health crises are often handled by first responders, including law enforcement, even though alternative, professionally led responses may produce safer and better outcomes. It directs the Legislative Research Commission to establish a task force to study and recommend programs, initiatives, and opportunities for alternative community response services related to mental health. The task force is intended to gather input from the Kentucky State Police, local law enforcement, the Kentucky Court of Justice, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and state and national mental health advocacy groups. Its membership would include legislators from both chambers and both parties, subject to LRC approval. The task force would meet during the 2026 interim and submit findings and recommendations by December 1, 2026, though the LRC may instead assign the study to an interim committee or subcommittee.

Impact

The resolution does not amend substantive Kentucky statutes or create a new regulatory program; instead, it establishes a legislative study body to evaluate alternative mental health crisis response models. Its practical impact would be to shape future policy recommendations for crisis intervention, community response teams, and coordination among public safety, courts, and behavioral health agencies. Any direct legal or operational changes would depend on later legislation or administrative action following the task force’s recommendations.

Sentiment

The bill’s stated rationale reflects a generally supportive and reform-oriented sentiment toward expanding mental health crisis response options beyond traditional law enforcement involvement. The findings emphasize safety, community trust, and improved outcomes, suggesting the resolution is framed as a collaborative, problem-solving measure rather than a partisan or punitive one. No committee transcript or vote record is available here, so there is no documented opposition in the provided materials.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is the role of law enforcement versus mental health professionals in crisis response. Supporters appear to favor multidisciplinary, non-police alternatives for some situations, while any skeptics may question implementation, funding, coordination, or whether statewide standards should be developed through a task force rather than local control. Another possible issue is whether the study should be handled by a new task force or assigned to an existing interim committee, which the resolution explicitly allows the LRC to decide.