The bill H.764 proposes significant changes to the regulation of psychiatric bed capacity in Vermont by exempting certain expenditures from the certificate of need requirements. Specifically, it seeks to exclude expenditures related to the construction or renovation of psychiatric units within licensed hospitals and to define psychiatric hospitals that are licensed or proposed to be established under current law. This amendment aims to facilitate the development of psychiatric facilities to address the growing need for mental health services.

Additionally, the bill establishes the Psychiatric Inpatient Capacity Working Group, tasked with assessing the need for more inpatient psychiatric beds in the state and identifying barriers to their construction. The group will consist of various stakeholders, including mental health professionals and individuals with lived experience of psychiatric treatment. They are expected to provide recommendations on the necessity of additional beds, strategies to overcome obstacles in their development, and a plan to increase bed capacity by 25% by July 2028, contingent on the identified need. The Working Group is required to report its findings by January 15, 2027, and will be supported by the Department of Mental Health. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 18-9435