The "Right to Mental Health for Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Act" is designed to improve access to mental health services for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, recognizing their unique communication needs. The bill mandates that mental health professionals provide services that are culturally affirmative and linguistically appropriate, tailored to the client's preferred communication method. It also emphasizes the necessity for professionals to be fluent in the client's communication style and knowledgeable about the specific cultural and mental health needs of the deaf and hard of hearing community. Additionally, the act requires the creation of a resource guide for available mental health services and the development of state and regional services to meet these specialized needs.

To facilitate the effective implementation of the act, a deaf services coordinator will be appointed to oversee service provision statewide, ensuring compliance with the act and developing standards of care. The bill also establishes an advisory committee composed of members from the deaf community and mental health professionals to guide the implementation process. Furthermore, it allows for the use of telemedicine and remote technologies when an interpreter is not available in a timely manner. The Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and the Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DDHH) will be responsible for service delivery, recruitment of certified professionals, and compliance monitoring, with the bill's effective date set for 180 days after enactment.