HCS SB 266 -- MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE PLAN

This bill 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 how the plan will be implemented on a
statewide basis;

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

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

The bill requires the plan to be completed no later than November
1, 2003.  The director of the department 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 bill 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 bill 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.

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