This bill seeks to improve mental health services in Minnesota by broadening the definition of mental illness to include conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, while also revising the criteria for identifying individuals with serious and persistent mental illness. A significant addition is the establishment of a grant program aimed at providing evidence-based interventions for youth and young adults at risk of early episodes of bipolar disorder. The bill also modifies reimbursement rates for nonemergency medical transportation services, introducing a new base rate structure for long-distance trips and ensuring that rates are adjusted quarterly based on gasoline prices to fairly compensate transportation providers.

Additionally, the bill makes adolescents and young adults experiencing early signs of bipolar disorder eligible for children's mental health grants, as specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 245.4889. The Department of Human Services is tasked with creating programs that offer intensive treatment and support, including medication management and case management, specifically targeting individuals aged 15 to 40. The bill emphasizes the use of evidence-based practices for evaluating program activities and mandates annual reporting on fund usage and program effectiveness. It also allocates funds for a first episode of psychosis grant, ensuring the expansion and maintenance of existing mental health programs, particularly in non-metropolitan areas.

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