House Bill No. by Representative Muscarello 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 participate in the program each fiscal year, and those who join 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 DPS&C to conduct an annual study on the recidivism rates of inmates who receive these services, comparing them to those who do not. The department must submit a detailed report by December 31st each year, which includes various metrics such as participation rates, completion of services, and connections to health care benefits. The bill also mandates that information about the program be provided to inmates with mental health conditions upon their admission to prison, ensuring they are aware of the program and its eligibility criteria. The term "recidivism" is defined in the bill as reincarceration within the department for any reason.