Assembly Bill 115 aims to establish a new youth behavioral health program under the Medical Assistance (MA) program in Wisconsin, specifically targeting individuals under the age of 21 with complex behavioral health needs. The bill authorizes the Department of Health Services (DHS) to collaborate with various state departments and county agencies to create this program, which is designed to coordinate access and services across multiple systems of care. The goal is to support families in the community and prevent the need for institutionalization or out-of-home placements. The program will offer a range of services, including mobile response, intensive home-based treatment, and outpatient services, among others.

To facilitate the implementation of this program, the bill includes provisions for DHS to seek federal approval for reimbursement and to establish a managed care plan that ensures adequate access to behavioral health services. Additionally, the bill allows DHS to promulgate rules for program implementation, enforce standards, and add one full-time equivalent project position to assist in the program's development. The new legal language created by this bill includes sections 49.45 (29t) and 49.46 (2) (b) 14r., which outline the specifics of the youth behavioral health program and the associated services.