Core State Behavioral Health Crisis Services Systems
Impact
The legislation imposes a statewide fee on telephone subscribers, which will fund the 9-8-8 services and the overarching behavioral health crisis system. This fee will be allocated to a revolving trust fund specifically dedicated to the operational costs of these services. By establishing this financial mechanism, the bill ensures that the resources are available for sustaining mental health crisis initiatives and supporting continuous improvement in service delivery.
Summary
Senate Bill S0779 establishes the Core State Behavioral Health Crisis Services System in Rhode Island, aimed at enhancing the state's response to mental health crises. This act includes the establishment of a 9-8-8 suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline, alongside the formation of mobile crisis response teams to assist individuals experiencing behavioral health emergencies. Through these initiatives, the bill seeks to create a robust support network that operates around the clock, promoting coordinated care and accessibility for those in need.
Contention
Despite its comprehensive approach, the bill faces contention regarding the integration of police within mobile crisis teams. While including law enforcement is intended for high-risk situations, there are concerns about the potential for increased criminalization of mental health crises and the necessity of ensuring that the response prioritizes de-escalation and care over law enforcement involvement. Additionally, stakeholders have raised questions about how effectively the 9-8-8 hotline will reach and serve diverse, underserved communities.
Establishes a core state behavioral health crisis services system, to be administered by the director of the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals.
Establishes a core state behavioral health crisis services system, to be administered by the director of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals.
Establishes the operations necessary for a 988 hotline for suicide prevention/behavioral health crisis management. Establishes the operations necessary for acute mental health crisis outreach/stabilization services in direct response to the 988 hotline.
Changes the name of "applied behavior assistant analyst" to "assistant applied behavior analyst" and makes several changes to provide consistency in the certification language for behavioral analysts.
Changes the name of "applied behavior assistant analyst" to "assistant applied behavior analyst" and makes several changes to provide consistency in the certification language for behavioral analysts.
Health: licensing; behavioral health transportation licensing requirements; provide for. Amends 1974 PA 258 (MCL 330.1001 - 330.2106) by adding ch. 9B. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0927'26
Health occupations: health professionals; limited license for certain individuals engaging in the practice of applied behavior analysis; provide for. Amends secs. 16343a, 18253 & 18257 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.16343a et seq.).