HB22-1221 Summary

• Behavioral Health Administration shall establish a County Coroner and Mortuary Mental Health and Wellness Program by January 31, 2023, providing in-person individual counseling with trauma specialists experienced in working with coroners and mortuary professionals.

• Program services are available to county coroners, coroner staff, volunteer group members, funeral directors, and mortuary science practitioners.

• The program covers all service costs for county coroners and their staff if they lack health insurance or insurance does not cover services; funeral homes must pay for services if funeral director or mortuary science practitioner's insurance does not cover costs.

• The Behavioral Health Administration must distribute program information to eligible individuals by April 1, 2023, and cannot disclose any participant information to employers.

• The program receives a $100,000 appropriation from the general fund for the 2022-23 fiscal year and is scheduled for repeal on September 1, 2029, subject to legislative review.