This bill amends section 83-338 of the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, focusing on the admission priorities for state hospitals for the mentally ill. The new language specifies that state hospitals shall prioritize admission for patients whose care is necessary to protect public health and safety, defendants deemed incompetent to stand trial, and patients committed by mental health boards or courts. The previous provisions regarding the prioritization of patients who are most likely to benefit from treatment and the allocation of beds based on specific percentages have been removed.
Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services provide a weekly report on the capacity and status of state-operated mental health facilities, including wait times for each priority category. The original section 83-338 is repealed, indicating a significant restructuring of the admission process for state hospitals for the mentally ill in Nebraska.
Statutes affected: Introduced: 83-338