HB 1550

Bill Subjects

Behavioral Health And Developmental Services Study Commissions, Committees And Reports

Abstract

Requires the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, in cooperation with the Department of Medical Assistance Services, to study the use of the Involuntary Mental Commitment Fund, including (i) the potential use of the Involuntary Mental Commitment Fund to fund both involuntary temporary detention and voluntary treatment in a health care facility for the treatment of mental illness to reduce the use of involuntary treatment in the Commonwealth, (ii) the potential benefits of transferring management of the Involuntary Mental Commitment Fund from the Department of Medical Assistance Services to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, and (iii) any other strategies for improving use of the funds in the Involuntary Mental Commitment Fund to improve access to mental health services in the Commonwealth. The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services shall report its findings to the Joint Subcommittee Studying Mental Health Services in the Commonwealth in the 21st Century by November 1, 2017.