Pathways To Behavioral Health Care

The act requires the state department of human services (state department) to contract with an independent third party to conduct a feasibility study to determine the feasibility of creating a system to support individuals with serious mental illness through a collaboration between Colorado's behavioral health and judicial systems. The act requires the state department to work with the behavioral health administration, department of local affairs, department of public safety, department of health care policy and financing, judicial department, and other state agencies to determine the eligibility requirements and application process for selecting the independent third party. The act requires the state department to submit a report detailing the findings and recommendations from the feasibility study to the general assembly, the governor's office, and impacted state agencies by March 1, 2024. The act appropriates $300,000 to the state department in state fiscal year 2023-24 for purposes of conducting the feasibility study. The appropriation consists of $160,000 from the general fund and $140,000 from the behavioral and mental health cash fund. APPROVED by Governor May 30, 2023 EFFECTIVE May 30, 2023 (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)