SB 1594 Summary

• Establishes a Crisis Intervention and Diversion Program within the Department of Health to redirect persons in the criminal justice system with mental illnesses to appropriate health care services and providers.

• Authorizes the Department of Health to lease or acquire a behavioral health crisis center facility to treat and refer patients from the criminal justice system.

• Defines "crisis intervention officer" as a law enforcement officer trained and certified by the Department of Health to recognize and communicate with persons in mental health crisis and serve as specialized first responders.

• Amends emergency admission procedures to allow law enforcement officers to call crisis intervention officers or mental health emergency workers and transport individuals to designated psychiatric facilities or behavioral health crisis centers.

• Appropriates funds for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to establish the crisis intervention program and certify law enforcement officers in Mental Health First Aid and Crisis Intervention Team training (with private dollar-for-dollar matching requirement).