Senate Bill 42 Summary

• Establishes the Council on Evansville State Hospitals effective July 1, 2011, to review mental health services and facility viability in the Evansville area.

• Council membership includes a juvenile court judge (chair), division director, two senators and two representatives from Evansville area, mental health providers, law enforcement/children's services representative, facility superintendents, mental health association representative, and a parent consumer.

• Council duties include reviewing mental health services availability for children, quality of care at state facilities, facility utilization, and determining facility viability and need.

• Council must provide findings and recommendations to the Secretary's office and General Assembly regarding facility operations and whether closure recommendations are warranted.

• Division of Mental Health and Addiction shall staff and fund the council; members receive no salary, per diem, or travel expenses; council expires December 31, 2013.