SB3521 Summary

• Establishes a 5-year Behavioral Health Recovery Center Grant Pilot Program requiring the Department of Human Services to issue a request for proposals by July 1, 2024 to award grants to one or more counties for developing mental health and substance use crisis facilities.

• Defines behavioral health recovery centers as facilities providing crisis services for mental health or substance use crises not requiring treatment beyond 23 hours and 59 minutes, with purposes including increasing access to crisis services and reducing incarceration and emergency room visits.

• Requires grant applications to include details on target populations, services offered, project costs, partnerships, sustainability plans, and privacy/data collection methods, with all grants to be awarded by December 31, 2024.

• Mandates the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to apply for a federal waiver or Medicaid State Plan amendment by July 1, 2024 for bundled daily rate reimbursement for crisis management services at behavioral health recovery centers, with managed care organizations required to provide coverage upon approval.

• Requires departmental reports to legislative committees by June 30, 2025 on awarded grants and project details, and by June 30, 2027 on project data, knowledge gained, recommendations for future crisis services, and obstacles encountered.