SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 41
INTRODUCED BY WEINBERG
BY REQUEST OF THE SENATE JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE ON MENTAL HEALTH
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA REQUESTING A STUDY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS RESPONSE SYSTEMS.
WHEREAS, individuals with mental illness who are in crisis need to be served with care and compassion in the least restrictive environment that protects the individual and the community; and
WHEREAS, current law requires the Department of Public Health and Human Services to establish crisis intervention programs in the community as an alternative to placement in jail; however, crisis intervention programs have not been specifically funded, made a priority, or addressed in relation to the emergency detentions at the Montana State Hospital; and
WHEREAS, counties are experiencing increasing and unpredictable precommitment costs because of mental health crises in the community; and
WHEREAS, although the Montana State Hospital has a licensed capacity of 189 beds, the average daily census for the month of March was 191 and the admission rate indicates no signs of abating; and
WHEREAS, the Department has pledged to the Joint Subcommittee on Health and Human Services and to the Joint Select Committee on Mental Health the intention to conduct a study of the entire public mental health system regarding community mental health crisis services and the Legislature has included funding for one full-time employee in fiscal year 2006 and two full-time employees in fiscal year 2007 to ensure adequate resources to plan for and implement development of those services; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for the Legislature to monitor and provide a forum for stakeholders in the establishment of community mental health crisis services to serve those with mental illness by developing models that are flexible for both urban and rural communities and their varying levels of resources.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
That the Legislative Council be requested to designate an appropriate interim committee, pursuant to section 5-5-217, MCA, or direct sufficient staff resources to study and monitor the development of community mental health crisis services across the state and to respond to any underlying issues that have prevented crisis services from being developed.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the committee include in its study of community mental health crisis services the following subjects:
(1) where the responsibility lies or should lie for providing mental health crisis services at the community level;
(2) planning and development of community mental health crisis services;
(3) what mental health crisis services should be provided at the community level;
(4) how mental health crisis services should be provided at the community level;
` (5) what populations should be served by community mental health crisis services;
(6) ways to encourage cooperation between and within communities in the planning, development, and provision of community mental health crisis services;
(7) whether the provision of community mental health crisis services should be prioritized in any way;
(8) funding and cost consideration in the provision of community mental health crisis services; and
(9) any other subjects considered by the committee to be necessary or helpful in the provision of community mental health crisis services.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the committee seek input and information from all of the stakeholders and work with the Department of Public Health and Human Services to identify the barriers to implementation and develop findings and recommendations for the next legislative session.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if the study is assigned to staff, any findings or conclusions be presented to and reviewed by an appropriate committee designated by the Legislative Council.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study, including presentation and review requirements, be concluded prior to September 15, 2006.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study, including any findings, conclusions, comments, or recommendations of the appropriate committee, be reported to the 60th Legislature.
- END -
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