HB 5553

Abstract

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that subject to appropriation, the Department of Human Services shall establish and administer a program to provide grants to crisis walk-in centers that provide services in a homelike environment to persons experiencing a mental health crisis who would otherwise be placed in improper care settings. Provides that to be eligible for a grant under the program a crisis walk-in center must provide crisis intervention and support services to adults 18 years of age or older at a facility that operates a minimum of 8 to 16 hours per day, 5 to 7 days a week. Requires staff at the crisis walk-in center to include at least one certified peer recovery support specialist and at least one licensed mental health professional who is available during the center's hours of operation to assess the severity of a client's mental health crisis, assist in developing a safety plan, and connect a client to appropriate community resources and other long-term behavioral health providers. Provides that grants awarded under the program may be used to fund increased staffing, facility improvements, or security measures at existing crisis walk-in centers. Provides that grants may also be awarded to behavioral health providers for the establishment or operation of crisis walk-in centers in underserved communities. Permits the Department to adopt rules on application requirements and any other rules necessary to implement the program.