The bill amends existing legislation related to the Department of Public Safety, specifically focusing on the Mental Wellness Division. It expands the scope of eligibility for mental wellness services to include not only current public safety personnel but also retirees. The bill updates statutory references and language, including the appointment of the Director of the Mental Wellness Division by the Commissioner of Public Safety. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining the privacy of all individuals served by the Division, ensuring that no privileged personal health information is disclosed without consent, while allowing for the sharing of aggregate mental health information for the purpose of improving public safety policies.
Additionally, the bill establishes a revolving fund, designated as the Mental Wellness Division Revolving Fund, which will be a continuous fund not subject to fiscal year limitations. This fund will consist of appropriated monies and will be used to provide mental wellness services and programs to both current personnel and retirees. The bill also clarifies the process for expenditures from the fund, which will be made upon warrants issued by the State Treasurer. The act is set to become effective on November 1, 2025.