This bill amends sections 71-809 and 71-812 of the Nebraska Revised Statutes to enhance the framework for regional behavioral health authorities and the Behavioral Health Services Fund. Key changes include the introduction of a provision that allows behavioral health services providers to offer new services or expand existing ones with departmental approval, provided they meet specific enrollment and contracting criteria. Additionally, the bill modifies the requirements for regional behavioral health authorities to provide services funded by the division, stipulating that a public competitive bidding process is necessary unless certain conditions are met, including the absence of qualified providers.

Furthermore, the Behavioral Health Services Fund is established to support the development of community-based behavioral health services, with provisions for grants and reimbursements to service providers. The bill expands the scope of housing-related assistance for very low-income adults with serious mental illness to include those with substance abuse disorders. It also outlines the types of housing-related assistance that can be provided and clarifies definitions related to serious mental illness and very low-income status. The original sections of the statutes are repealed to incorporate these updates.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 71-809, 71-812
Final Reading: 71-809, 71-812
Slip Law: 71-809, 71-812