HB 21-1258 Summary

• Establishes a temporary youth mental health services program providing free mental health screenings and up to three reimbursed therapy sessions per youth through an online portal.

• Eligible providers include licensed psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, and addiction counselors.

• Youth eligible are persons 18 years old or younger, plus those 21 or younger receiving special education services; program covers mental health and substance use disorder services.

• Appropriates $9,000,000 from the general fund for fiscal years 2020-21 and 2021-22 to the Department of Human Services Office of Behavioral Health.

• Program sunsets on June 30, 2022; state department must report program metrics to legislative committees by January 1, 2022 and June 30, 2022.