Substitute Senate Bill No. 218 establishes two separate task forces with distinct objectives. The first task force is dedicated to formulating recommendations for a state-wide program that provides bereavement and grief counseling services to children and families at no cost. This task force will consider various factors such as potential administering agencies, the scope of services, integration with existing programs, service delivery in underserved areas, and sustainable funding sources. It will include members from relevant counseling services, school-based health centers, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders, and must submit a report by July 1, 2025, after which it will terminate.
The second task force focuses on studying social isolation and loneliness among state residents, identifying health risks, at-risk populations, and recommending strategies to mitigate these issues through state-wide programs and community initiatives. This task force will also be composed of various stakeholders, including caregivers and health care providers, and is expected to submit its findings by January 1, 2025. The bill, which is effective upon passage, indicates that there will be no fiscal impact from the establishment of the first task force, as existing administrative staff will support it. The bill has received a Joint Favorable Substitute from the Committee on Children with a vote of 16-3 and includes insertions related to its file number but no deletions from current law.