HB5009 Summary: Community Emergency Services and Support Act

• Every local government unit providing emergency medical services must also provide appropriate emergency response services for individuals experiencing mental or behavioral health emergencies with response times and training equivalent to physical health emergencies.

• Emergency responders handling mental health crises must receive training in de-escalation techniques, knowledge of community services, and trauma-informed care, with a goal of diverting individuals from hospitalization or incarceration when possible.

• Law enforcement cannot be the primary responder for mental or behavioral health emergencies when a separate emergency response system exists; law enforcement presence must not interfere with care provision and must maintain distance to avoid escalating the situation.

• Regional Emergency Response Equity Committees in each EMS Region must develop plans for mental health emergency response and non-violent misdemeanor situations, with majority representation from individuals with lived experience of mental health conditions or related disabilities.

• 9-1-1 authorities must track and report monthly data on calls received by type of service requested and dispatched, broken down by police district and educational institution type, with reports available to Emergency Response Equity Committees and the public.