Bill H.819 proposes the transfer of the Division of Substance Use Programs from the Department of Health to the Department of Mental Health in Vermont. This transition is formalized through amendments to existing statutes, which designate the Department of Mental Health as the successor to both the Division of Mental Health Services and the Division of Substance Use Programs. The bill outlines the new responsibilities of the Department of Mental Health, which will now include overseeing substance use programming, ensuring equal access to care, and coordinating efforts across various agencies to enhance mental health and substance use services.

In addition to the transfer of responsibilities, the bill amends various sections of Vermont law to integrate substance use programming into the Department of Mental Health's framework. Key changes include the establishment of the Division of Substance Use Programs within the Department, which will be tasked with planning, operating, and evaluating substance use programs. The bill also emphasizes collaboration with other departments and stakeholders to comprehensively address substance misuse, ensuring effective coordination of prevention and treatment services. Furthermore, it removes references to the Department of Health in several sections, consolidating authority under the Department of Mental Health, which will assume rulemaking authority for existing rules under the Division of Substance Use Programs. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3-3089, 7-656, 18-13, 18-104b, 18-4751, 18-4752, 18-4772, 18-4773, 18-4774, 18-4803, 18-4804, 18-4806, 18-4812, 18-7201, 18-7202, 18-7206, 18-7253, 23-3207f, 23-3323a, 26-2080, 26-3191, 26-3193, 26-3194, 33-5272