The proposed bill establishes a statewide Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) program aimed at addressing the behavioral health needs of children and youth aged two to twenty-one. The program is designed to provide timely crisis response and intervention services, stabilization to prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, and ensure compliance with Medicaid's Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) obligations. The MRSS services will be delivered in natural environments such as homes, schools, child care centers, and community facilities, emphasizing family-centered, trauma-informed, and developmentally appropriate care.

The bill introduces a new chapter titled "Children's Mobile Response and Stabilization Services Act" within Title 40.1 of the General Laws, detailing definitions, program structure, service components, funding, provider requirements, and monitoring. Key components include a 24/7 operation with a response time of no more than one hour, accessibility to all children in crisis without requiring formal referrals or prior authorization, and culturally and linguistically appropriate services.

To support the implementation of the MRSS program, the bill appropriates six million dollars from the state general fund and mandates the state Medicaid agency to submit a state plan amendment to establish MRSS as a Medicaid-reimbursable service. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) will oversee the program's implementation, including data collection on service utilization, patient outcomes, and annual reporting to the General Assembly on the program's effectiveness. The bill aims to ensure equitable access to behavioral health services for children in crisis, with a focus on collaboration among various child-serving systems and adherence to federal Medicaid standards. The act will take effect upon passage.