HB 2450 Summary

• Establishes a crisis intervention and diversion services program within the Department of Health to redirect persons with mental illness from the criminal justice system to appropriate healthcare services.

• Authorizes the Department of Health to lease or acquire a facility to operate a behavioral health crisis center for treating and referring patients from the criminal justice system.

• Defines "mental health emergency worker" as a person designated by the department to provide crisis intervention and emergency stabilization services and assist in determining if someone meets criteria for emergency admission.

• Requires law enforcement officers to call for assistance from a mental health emergency worker when responding to persons believed to be imminently dangerous, with the worker determining whether transport to a psychiatric facility or director-designated facility is necessary.

• Appropriates $6,000,000 from general revenues for fiscal year 2024-2025 to establish and support the crisis intervention and diversion services program, effective July 1, 2024.