SB 18-250 Summary

• Creates a Jail-Based Behavioral Health Services Program within the Office of Behavioral Health in the Department of Human Services to provide mental health and substance use disorder treatment in county jails.

• Program funds jails to provide behavioral health screenings for all individuals booked into facilities, psychiatric medication management, mental health counseling, substance use disorder treatment, and transitional care coordination.

• Office of Behavioral Health must prioritize funding to rural and frontier jails with minimal existing behavioral health services and oversee program functions with annual reporting to the General Assembly.

• Participating jails may be required to screen for mental health and substance use disorders, assess medication needs, coordinate with community providers for post-release care, and track performance outcomes.

• Appropriates $2,564,603 from the general fund for fiscal year 2018-19, including $2,426,667 for jail-based behavioral health services and 1.8 FTE positions.