HB4187 - Mental Health Inpatient Facility Access Act

• Requires Department of Human Services Division of Mental Health to develop a comprehensive written strategic plan within one year to improve access to inpatient psychiatric beds in State-operated mental health facilities.

• Plan must include annual clinician training, regular mental health assessments of admitted individuals, updated facility policies for home visits and work programs, and community-based mental health service expansion including outpatient alternatives and step-down services.

• Establishes benchmarks requiring individuals found unfit to stand trial or not guilty by reason of insanity be admitted to Department facilities within 30 days and requiring no individual needing inpatient care remain in hospital emergency departments longer than 48 hours.

• Creates a certification and credentialing system for psychiatrists, clinical social workers, psychologists, and qualified examiners conducting evaluations for individuals in State mental health facilities.

• Prohibits the Department from making further reductions in State-operated inpatient mental health bed capacity and requires implementation of hospital presumptive eligibility for Medicaid enrollment for individuals in psychiatric crisis presenting to hospital emergency rooms.