CT SB00141

Designates the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services as a single health care entity effective upon passage, headed by a Commissioner appointed by the Governor with advice from the Board of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Requires all department divisions and facilities to provide patient records to a unified electronic health record system, with disclosures outside the department governed by federal and state law.

Authorizes the department to establish and operate an electronic health record system allowing authorized personnel to access patient health information across all divisions and facilities for diagnosis, treatment, and health care operations improvement.

Designates the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services as the lead state agency for substance abuse prevention and treatment and as the state methadone authority, with responsibility for approving exceptions to federal opioid treatment protocols, monitoring opioid treatment programs, and approving program certifications.

Specifies the department's functions including centralized administration, prevention and treatment programs for mental health and substance use disorders, community mental health centers, training, education, and research across both inpatient and outpatient settings.