MS HB1277

Authorizes the State Board of Mental Health to adopt regulations ensuring core adult mental health services, child mental health services, and intellectual/developmental disability services are provided in every Mississippi county.

Requires the board to appoint a full-time medical director for the Department of Mental Health to provide clinical oversight and ensure evidence-based practices and standards of care.

Establishes a Strategic Planning and Best Practices Committee with eleven members to develop strategic plans, evaluate service efficiency and effectiveness, and recommend legislative changes by January 1, 2014.

Requires regional mental health commissions and community service providers to submit annual itemized service plans by July 1 each year identifying which core services they will and will not provide, with decertification and loss of state funding for non-compliance.

Directs the Department of Mental Health to notify community mental health center directors monthly of civilly committed patients discharged to their service areas and require providers to report when community-based services are initiated.