The bill amends the Mental Health Code to enhance the mediation process for disputes involving recipients of mental health services. It mandates that recipients or their representatives be offered the opportunity to request mediation to resolve disputes with community mental health services programs or their contracted service providers regarding the planning and provision of services. The bill specifies that the community mental health services program must notify recipients of their right to mediation at the initiation of services and annually thereafter. Additionally, it establishes requirements for mediators, including their training and independence from the dispute, and outlines the timeline for mediation to be initiated and completed.

Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions for documenting mediation requests and outcomes, ensuring that if a dispute is resolved, a legally binding agreement is prepared and signed by the involved parties. It also requires contracted mediation organizations to report on mediation outcomes to the department periodically. The amendments aim to streamline the mediation process, enhance transparency, and ensure that recipients have access to effective dispute resolution mechanisms while receiving mental health services.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 330.1206, 330.1429