RI H7919

Requires the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals to develop and maintain a plain-language statewide youth behavioral health family navigation guide for parents and legal guardians.

Guide must include pre-diagnosis information such as early warning signs, guidance on distinguishing typical behavior from concerning indicators, and support strategies families can use while awaiting evaluation.

Post-diagnosis content must cover levels of care (inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, crisis stabilization), insurance pathways for accessing care, and statewide crisis response contacts.

Department must publish the guide on its website in downloadable format, update it at least annually, and distribute to pediatric providers, schools, and community behavioral health organizations.

Guide is informational only and does not constitute medical or legal advice, create entitlement to services, or establish a private right of action against the state.