The proposed legislation, General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 6951, aims to enhance children's behavioral health services in Connecticut. It establishes the Transforming Children's Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee, which is tasked with conducting a comprehensive study on existing behavioral health services for children and the anticipated future demand for these services. The study will evaluate the utilization rates of various service providers, including the United Way of Connecticut 2-1-1 Infoline, the 9-8-8 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and mobile crisis intervention services, among others. The committee is required to submit a report by January 1, 2026, detailing the findings and recommendations for improving service delivery.

Additionally, the bill mandates the committee to collaborate with a state-wide association of school-based health centers to develop a survey aimed at understanding current data collection practices and the challenges of implementing more comprehensive systems. A report on these findings is also due by January 1, 2026. The bill appropriates a total of $17.2 million from the General Fund for mobile crisis intervention services over the fiscal years ending June 30, 2026, and June 30, 2027. The legislation includes several insertions for clarity and consistency in legal language, such as specifying the providers of behavioral health services and refining terminology related to data collection practices.