This bill seeks to improve mental health services in Minnesota by broadening the definition of mental illness to encompass a wider array of conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. It streamlines the criteria for identifying individuals with serious and persistent mental illness and establishes a new grant program aimed at funding evidence-based interventions for youth and young adults at risk of early episodes of bipolar disorder. Additionally, the bill revises reimbursement rates for nonemergency medical transportation services to better reflect provider costs and introduces adjustments based on gasoline prices, while also mandating a report to monitor the effectiveness of these changes.

Moreover, the bill makes services for adolescents and young adults experiencing early episodes of bipolar disorder eligible for children's mental health grants, as specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 245.4889. The Department of Human Services is charged with creating programs that offer intensive treatment and support, including medication management and crisis planning, while also providing outreach and training for mental health professionals. The bill targets individuals aged 15 to 40 with early signs of bipolar disorder and requires annual reports on fund usage and program outcomes, ensuring that existing programs are maintained and expanded, particularly in non-metropolitan areas.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 62A.673, 245.462, 256B.0625