The bill creates the behavioral health administration (BHA) in the department of human services (department) to create a coordinated, cohesive, and effective behavioral health system in the state. The BHA will handle most of the behavioral health programs that were previously handled by the office of behavioral health in the department. The bill establishes a commissioner as the head of the BHA and authorizes the
commissioner and state board of human services to adopt and amend rules that previously were promulgated by the executive director of the department. By July 1, 2024, the bill requires the BHA to establish: • A statewide behavioral health grievance system; • A behavioral health performance monitoring system; • A comprehensive behavioral health safety net system; • Regionally-based behavioral health administrative service organizations; • The BHA as the licensing authority for all behavioral health entities; and • The BHA advisory council to provide feedback to the BHA on the behavioral health system in the state. The bill transfers to the department of public health and environment responsibility for community prevention and early intervention programs previously administered by the department. The bill makes extensive conforming amendments.
