HB 605
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2021 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
Third Reader
House Bill 605 (Delegate Kipke)
Health and Government Operations Finance
Veterans - Behavioral Health Services - Mental Health First Aid
This bill requires the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) to include mental health
first aid among the behavioral health services for which MDH provides service
coordination for eligible veterans. Mental health first aid must consist of training for
veterans and their immediate family members on how to identify and respond to signs of
mental illness and substance use disorders. Each entity teaching a mental health first aid
course must report to MDH the number of veterans and their family members who took
the course. By June 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, MDH must report to the Governor
and the General Assembly the total number of veterans and family members who took a
mental health first aid course and the total number of courses taught in the State.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: The bill largely codifies current practice. The bill’s reporting requirements
can be handled with existing budgeted resources. Revenues are not affected.
Local Effect: None.
Small Business Effect: None.
Analysis
Current Law: Subject to the limitations of its budget, MDH must (in collaboration with
the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Maryland Department of Veterans
Affairs, the Maryland National Guard, and the Maryland Defense Force provide behavioral
health service coordination to eligible veterans. Where services are not yet available or
accessible at the federal level, MDH must connect eligible veterans to behavioral health
services that may be available through its Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) until
federal services can be obtained. For services provided, MDH must seek reimbursement
from the VA or other responsible public or private payer and account separately for funds
used to provide behavioral health services.
Additional Comments: BHA advises that Maryland’s Commitment to Veterans is
responsible for providing behavioral health care coordination to veterans and their families.
Mental health first aid is currently included among these services. BHA does not anticipate
that the bill will change the way this program operates. However, BHA notes that mental
health first aid is a proprietary program. Currently, only one organization provides this
training in Maryland: the Mental Health Association of Maryland.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: SB 324 of 2020 passed in the Senate and received a hearing in the
House Health and Government Operations Committee, but no further action was taken.
Designated Cross File: SB 164 (Senator Simonaire) - Finance.
Information Source(s): Maryland Department of Health; Department of Veterans
Affairs; Military Department; Department of Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - January 22, 2021
an/jc Third Reader - March 2, 2021
Analysis by: Amber R. Gundlach Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
HB 605/ Page 2


Statutes affected:
Text - First - Veterans - Behavioral Health Services - Mental Health First Aid: 13-2702 Health General, 13-2703 Health General
Text - Third - Veterans - Behavioral Health Services - Mental Health First Aid: 13-2702 Health General, 13-2703 Health General