Senate Bill 2816 Summary

• Establishes the Civil Commitment Reform Grant Program administered by the Department of Mental Health to ensure no person is held in jail prior to civil commitment by expanding community mental health center facilities statewide.

• Requires each community mental health center to receive a minimum grant of $500,000 by October 1, 2024, with distribution factors including number of persons previously held in facilities, regional needs, and geographic considerations.

• Creates the Civil Commitment Reform Fund as a special fund in the State Treasury with provisions allowing up to 1.25% of appropriated funds to reimburse the Department of Mental Health for actual oversight costs.

• Amends Section 41-21-67 to prohibit holding persons in jail prior to civil commitment, requiring instead that individuals be taken to community mental health centers or licensed medical facilities for evaluation.

• Repeals Section 41-21-68 which previously authorized regional commissions to establish holding facilities for civil commitment purposes.