County MH/DD Concerns

DHS introduced companion bills, SSB 3129 and HSB 627, to restructure the code as it relates to Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC).  There are a variety of provisions in the bill that create concern.  The most concerning is the section that states that the unfunded mandate section of the code will not apply to this legislation.  The bill shifts major responsibility for determining the relationship between the counties and the mental health centers from the Board of Supervisors to the Department of Human Services. DHS determines which CMHC will serve a particular catchment area. Once this is determined, it is unclear whether a single county could choose to change providers. The ability of a county to contract with an “other mental health provider” rather than a CMHC is eliminated.  The bill punts the determination of core services to be provided to the MH/DD Commission and, presumably, the counties will pay the bill.  ISAC attended the Senate subcommittee meeting on this and opposed it.