CT SB01089

Requires local and regional boards of education to include mental health first aid training as part of in-service training programs for teachers, administrators, and pupil personnel, effective July 1, 2015.

Mandates that school boards shall require teachers, school nurses, counselors, and all school employees to participate in mental health first aid training administered by the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Requires police basic training programs and municipal police departments to include a course on handling incidents involving individuals with serious mental illness (effective October 1, 2014) and mental health first aid training (effective October 1, 2015).

Establishes a grant program within the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to provide funds to organizations and hospitals for acute care and emergency behavioral health services, with $3 million appropriated for fiscal year 2016.

Directs the Commissioners of Social Services, Children and Families, and Mental Health and Addiction Services to develop programs improving behavioral health services coordination for Medicaid recipients and to submit state plan amendments to increase Medicaid rates for behavioral health providers and expand behavioral health homes delivery models.