House Bill No. [insert number] aims to establish a mental health transition pilot program within the Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C) to provide eligible inmates with community transition services. The bill mandates that the department administer the program and contract with private or nonprofit entities to deliver mental health transition services. It specifies that up to 500 eligible inmates may be placed in the program each fiscal year, and inmates participating in the program cannot be released before their earliest release date. The bill outlines eligibility criteria, which include being diagnosed as seriously mentally ill and being eligible for health care benefits upon release.

Additionally, the bill requires the secretary of the DPS&C to adopt rules for implementing the program, including the provision of various services such as health care assistance, case management, and transportation. The department is also tasked with conducting an annual study on recidivism rates for inmates who receive these services and submitting a detailed report to key legislative figures by December 31 each year. This report will include data on participation rates, successful connections to health care benefits, and the overall effectiveness of the program in reducing recidivism. The bill defines "recidivism" as reincarceration within the department for any reason.