This bill aims to enhance behavioral health services in Minnesota by modifying civil commitment admission requirements, establishing new grant programs, and addressing mental health care for prisoners. It specifies that prisoners in correctional facilities will not be responsible for co-payments for mental health medications, allowing counties to seek reimbursement for these costs. The bill also prioritizes admissions to state-operated treatment programs based on a new framework that considers factors such as waiting list duration and treatment intensity. Additionally, it creates grant programs to address early episodes of psychosis and bipolar disorder among youth, mandates the Department of Human Services to report on funding usage, and introduces pilot grants for engagement services to prevent civil commitments.

Moreover, the bill expands eligibility for substance use disorder treatment services, ensuring individuals enrolled in MinnesotaCare can access room and board services. It mandates an increase in rates for residential services starting January 1, 2025, and outlines criteria for treatment funding from the behavioral health fund. The legislation also amends payment rates for healthcare services, removing a previous reduction and introducing increases for specific services. It establishes a mental health innovation account funded by revenue from the Anoka-Metro Regional Treatment Center and includes appropriations for mental health medications and support services for both prisoners and the broader community, ultimately aiming to improve access to mental health care for vulnerable populations in Minnesota.

Statutes affected:
1st Engrossment: 256B.0625, 245.4905, 256B.0622, 256B.0757, 256B.76, 246.18