House Bill 734 Summary

• Aligns the definition of "developmental disability" in state law with federal requirements by specifying "mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments."

• Establishes permanent authorization for telehealth examinations in involuntary commitment procedures for mental illness and substance use disorders, replacing temporary telemedicine provisions.

• Increases criminal penalties for operating unlicensed mental health facilities from Class 3 misdemeanor to Class H felony, with fines of $1,000 per day of operation effective December 1, 2021.

• Modifies Consumer and Family Advisory Committee (CFAC) membership and appointments at both state and local levels, adding traumatic brain injury services and adjusting regional representation requirements.

• Requires 24-hour facilities to report transportation methods and voluntary status conversions for individuals admitted under involuntary commitment petitions, effective January 1, 2022.