HCS SB 266 -- MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE PLANS

CO-SPONSORS:  Shields, Kennedy (Johnson, 47)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Health Care Policy by a vote of 13 to 0.

This substitute requires the Department of Mental Health to
develop a plan to address the needs of persons who are on a
waiting list for services.  The plan is required to emphasize the
partnership between developmentally disabled individuals and
their families, community providers, and state officials.

The plan is required to include:

(1)  A method for reducing the waiting period to 90 days;

(2)  A description of available services and an evaluation of the
capacity to serve more individuals;

(3)  A method of adjusting support and service levels based on
individual needs and a method for determining when out-of-home,
24-hour care is necessary;

(4)  A description of implementing the plan;

(5)  Any recommendations for necessary changes to state law; and

(6)  An analysis of the monetary effects in providing services to
all eligible individuals and their families.

The substitute requires the plan to be completed no later than
November 1, 2003.  The Director of the Department of Mental
Health is required to submit a copy of the plan to the Speaker of
the House of Representatives, the President Pro Tem of the
Senate, and the Governor.

The substitute also requires the departments of Mental Health and
Social Services to jointly prepare a plan concerning the needs
for mental health services and supports for:

(1)  All child custody cases in the Department of Social Services
in order to determine mental health service needs and the absence
of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment; and

(2)  Children or persons 17 years of age who are determined by
the court to be eligible to receive mental health services in the
least restrictive and appropriate environment if the children are
returned to a family's custody by a court.

The plan is required to include analyses concerning:

(1)  The use of federal funding and the application for federal
waivers;

(2)  Budgetary and programmatic effects resulting from providing
mental health services to children and persons 17 years of age;
and

(3)  The feasibility and time frames for securing federal funds.

The substitute requires the plan to be completed no later than
January 1, 2004.  The directors of the departments of Mental
Health and Social Services are required to submit a copy of the
plan to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the
President Pro Tem of the Senate, and the Governor.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will provide for the
collection and analysis of mental health data on the number of
children and persons who are currently on a waiting list for
mental health services.  The bill requires the plans to include a
number of recommendations for improving access for children and
persons who need mental health services.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Shields; Department of
Mental Health; Missouri Association of Rehabilitation Services;
Missouri Statewide Parent Advisory Network; and Citizens for
Missouri's Children.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Joseph Deering, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:13 am