OH SB126

Authorizes mental health professionals to conduct crisis assessments of minors without parental consent if the minor may be suicidal or pose a risk of physical harm to others, or if a supervising adult reports such concerns.

Requires mental health professionals to make a good faith effort to notify the minor's parent, legal guardian, or custodian as soon as practicable after providing a crisis assessment.

Permits minors age 14 and older to request outpatient mental health services (excluding medication) without parental consent, limited to six sessions or 30 days, whichever occurs sooner.

Appropriates $3,640,000 in fiscal year 2021 to distribute grants of $70,000 to each educational service center to support employment of a licensed independent social worker to coordinate policy implementation and services.

Directs the Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services to adopt rules identifying which mental health professionals are permitted to provide outpatient services and crisis assessments.