Senate Bill 2696 Summary

• Reforms Mississippi's mental health delivery system to provide core services (adult mental health, child mental health, intellectual/developmental disability, and substance abuse services) accessible in communities throughout the state.

• Establishes a 9-member State Board of Mental Health appointed by the Governor with specific professional requirements including psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers, with quarterly meetings and a quorum of 5 members.

• Creates a Strategic Planning and Best Practices Committee consisting of 15 members to evaluate service efficiency, recommend legislative changes, and establish performance measures for mental health services by July 1, 2012.

• Authorizes Crisis Intervention Teams as community partnerships between law enforcement, mental health centers, and hospitals to provide psychiatric emergency services as an alternative to jail confinement for persons with substantial likelihood of bodily harm.

• Establishes the Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund in the State Treasury to provide funding for seven mental health crisis centers and a Special Treatment Facility in Harrison County, supported by legislative appropriations and assessments.