The bill establishes the South Central Regional Mental Health Hospital in Wichita, Kansas, to enhance access to mental health services in the region. It creates the South Central Regional Mental Health Hospital Fee Fund, which will be managed by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, detailing the superintendent's responsibilities regarding financial management. The bill also empowers the secretary for aging and disability services to set up appropriate facilities for the care of mentally ill individuals, including those committed by courts or transferred from correctional institutions. Additionally, it amends existing laws related to battery and aggravated battery, introducing new definitions and classifications for offenses against law enforcement and healthcare personnel, thereby establishing varying severity levels and penalties.

Moreover, the bill revises definitions and provisions concerning mental health and substance abuse treatment, including the establishment of the community alcoholism and intoxication programs fund to support community-based treatment initiatives. It updates the criteria for involuntary commitment and the admission process for treatment facilities, broadening the application of emergency observation and treatment to any state hospital. The bill also clarifies the roles of guardians in the care of proposed wards and imposes restrictions on outsourcing operations at state hospitals without legislative approval. Significant deletions from existing law include references to specific facilities and training centers, streamlining the legal framework governing mental health services and obligations. The act will take effect upon publication in the statute book.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 21-5413, 39-1401, 39-1602, 39-1613, 40-3401, 39-923, 75-6102, 41-1126, 59-2006b, 59-2946, 59-3051, 59-29b46, 59-29b54, 59-29b57, 59-29b59, 59-3077, 39-2001, 65-4921, 65-5601, 74-3292, 65-241, 75-3099, 75-3373, 76-384, 76-12a01, 76-12a31, 76-1407, 76-1409, 76-1409a, 76-1936, 76-1958
As Amended by House Committee: 21-5413, 39-1401, 39-1602, 39-1613, 40-3401, 39-923, 75-6102, 41-1126, 59-2006b, 59-2946, 59-3051, 59-29b46, 59-29b54, 59-29b57, 59-29b59, 59-3077, 39-2001, 65-4921, 65-5601, 74-3292, 65-241, 75-3099, 75-3373, 76-384, 76-12a01, 76-12a31, 76-1407, 76-1409, 76-1409a, 76-1936, 76-1958
As Amended by Senate Committee: 21-5413, 39-1401, 39-1602, 39-1613, 40-3401, 39-923, 75-6102, 41-1126, 59-2006b, 59-2946, 59-3051, 59-29b46, 59-29b54, 59-29b57, 59-29b59, 59-3077, 39-2001, 65-4921, 65-5601, 74-3292, 65-241, 75-3099, 75-3373, 76-384, 76-12a01, 76-12a31, 76-1407, 76-1409, 76-1409a, 76-1936, 76-1958