SB0347 - Alternatives to Crisis Escalation (ACE) Act

• Requires Department of Public Health to develop a 2-year public awareness campaign across Illinois' 11 health regions about adult mobile crisis response services, beginning by January 1, 2022, with culturally competent materials in multiple languages.

• Directs Department of Human Services to establish a grant program providing adult mobile crisis response services to uninsured adults age 18+ experiencing mental health or substance use crises, mirroring Medicaid-covered services with linkage and case management support for up to 90 days.

• Requires Department of Healthcare and Family Services to develop training protocols for CARES line (Crisis and Referral Entry Services) staff within one year, including hiring trained mental health professionals and peers with lived experience, plus quality control measures.

• Mandates annual data tracking by Department of Healthcare and Family Services on CARES line calls, adult mobile crisis response service demographics, provider availability by health region, and linkage outcomes to various treatment services, reported publicly by July 1st annually starting in 2022.

• Directs three departments (Public Health, Human Services, Healthcare and Family Services) to adopt implementation rules within one year of the act's effective date.