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, allowing for a public competitive bidding process or alternative authorization under certain conditions. The bill also removes the previous requirement for public bidding procedures.

Furthermore, the Behavioral Health Services Fund is established to support the development of community-based behavioral health services, with funds sourced from legislative appropriations and other public or private contributions. The bill specifies that funds transferred to the Behavioral Health Services Fund can be used for housing-related assistance for very low-income adults with serious mental illness or substance abuse disorders. It outlines the types of assistance that can be provided and establishes definitions for key terms related to the fund's purpose. The original sections of the statutes being amended are repealed as part of this legislative update.

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