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 and schools, 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 definitions include "certified providers," "mobile response and stabilization services," and "natural environment." The program will operate 24/7 with a response time of no more than one hour from the initial request for assistance, and services will be accessible without requiring formal referrals or prior authorization.

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 state will also allocate general revenue funds to cover services not funded by Medicaid. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) will oversee the program's implementation, including data collection on service utilization and patient outcomes, and will report annually 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, including schools and healthcare providers, and adherence to federal Medicaid standards. The act will take effect upon passage.