House Bill No. introduced by S. Howell establishes the Montana Behavioral Health Trust Fund and creates a corresponding board to oversee its operations. The bill outlines the composition of the Montana Behavioral Health Trust Fund Board, which will consist of seven members appointed by various state leaders, including the governor and legislative leaders. The board is tasked with managing the fund, which will receive money from various sources, including appropriations, donations, and interest generated from an endowment specifically created for behavioral health services. The bill also mandates a quarterly transfer of interest from this endowment into a special revenue account dedicated to funding eligible behavioral health programs.

Additionally, the bill specifies the eligible uses of the funds, which include grants for mental health services in schools, crisis care, and supportive housing for individuals transitioning from inpatient care. It establishes reporting requirements for the board to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of funds. The bill amends existing law regarding statutory appropriations to include the new fund and outlines a timeline for transferring funds from the capital developments long-range building program account into the newly created behavioral health fund. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 17-7-502
HB0884_1(1): 17-7-502
HB0884_1: 17-7-502