HB 4700 Summary

• Requires the Department of Corrections to create a prerelease mental health discharge plan for each prisoner receiving mental health services or medications before parole release.

• Discharge plans must include mental health assessments using specific tools (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-2, and Opioid Risk Tool).

• Plans must address risk factors related to transportation, housing, and family stress; schedule a postrelease mental health appointment; ensure medication access between release and first appointment; and assess Medicaid/Medicare eligibility.

• Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide reasonable assistance with discharge planning and to provide community-based mental health services during the parole period upon request.

• Allows the Department of Corrections to use care management software that meets specified requirements including HIPAA compliance, natural language processing capabilities, and secure authentication; takes effect 90 days after enactment.