HF 944 Summary

• Expands the definition of "residential treatment" to include psychiatric residential treatment programs under section 256B.0941, in addition to existing licensing requirements.

• Removes the requirement that county boards conduct mental health screenings upon admission to residential treatment facilities, acute care hospitals, or regional treatment centers, eliminating the former clause (7) from county board duties.

• Creates a new direct referral pathway allowing children with a mental health diagnosis, medical necessity determination, and referral from a qualified mental health professional to access residential services without county referral.

• Establishes state-level oversight of direct referral admissions and requires facilities to notify the child's county of residence within ten days of admission to facilitate transition to community-based services.

• Clarifies that when services are provided through direct referral to medical assistance-enrolled children, the state commissioner directly pays providers with no county financial share.