H.B. 1797 Summary

• Establishes a three-year medical respite pilot program within the Department of Human Services, overseen by the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness, to provide outpatient health care and supportive services to recently discharged homeless persons.

• Program operates in counties with populations over 600,000 and is based at federally qualified health centers that coordinate with hospitals, emergency rooms, health plans, and social service providers to develop individualized care plans.

• Services include housing assistance, preventative and primary medical care, medication refills, behavioral health services, assistance with basic non-medical needs, and referrals to community resources addressing social determinants of health.

• Program also coordinates medical and care services for non-hospitalized homeless persons being moved by police out of unauthorized spaces.

• Department must submit findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than 20 days before the 2025 regular session convening, with an appropriation from general revenues for fiscal year 2022-2023.