Until July 1, 2026, this bill establishes within the department of mental health and substance abuse services ("department") the temporary youth mental health service program to facilitate access to mental health services, including substance use disorder services, for persons younger than 18 ("youth") regarding mental health needs identified in mental health screenings through the portal, including needs that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualified mental health professional ("provider") must maintain client confidentiality in accordance with the state's "Patient's Privacy Protection Act." This bill requires the department to reimburse a provider in the program for a maximum of three sessions per youth client, conducted in person or by telehealth. However, the department may reimburse a provider for additional sessions. To be eligible for reimbursement from the program, a provider must be available to provide a minimum of three mental health sessions to each youth. The department must use available funds from the K-12 mental health special reserve account to fund the program. DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT This bill requires the department to do all of the following:  Develop a process consistent with the requirements of this bill for providers to apply for and demonstrate eligibility to receive reimbursement from the program.  Determine a reasonable rate of reimbursement for each mental health session with a youth client in which the rate must be the same regardless of whether the appointment is conducted in-person or by telehealth.  Implement a statewide public awareness and outreach campaign about the program. PORTAL No later than August 1, 2025, this bill requires the department to enter into an agreement with a vendor to create or use an existing website or web-based application as a portal available to youth and providers to facilitate the program. The portal must accomplish all of the following:  Serve as a platform for age-appropriate mental health screenings to determine if a youth may benefit from mental health support.  Allow providers to register and share in-person or telehealth appointment availability.  Connect youth with providers who accept the youth's insurance or payment source that may cover the costs of ongoing mental health treatment, if the youth has insurance or a payment source.  Allow a youth to schedule a telehealth appointment and allow for in-person appointments when available, regardless of whether the youth has insurance or another payment source. REPORT By July 1, 2026, this bill requires the department to report to legislative committees with jurisdiction over health-related matters regarding the number of youths who have received services under the program, excluding any personally identifiable information to retain confidentiality; information in the aggregate about the services provided to youth under the program; and other relevant information regarding the program. RULEMAKING This bill authorizes the department to promulgate rules to effectuate this bill.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-3-502(11), 49-3-502