Establishes pilot program to refer certain emergency department patients for development of coordinated behavioral health care treatment and support services plan.

S 1271 establishes a pilot program to connect emergency department patients with mild-to-moderate behavioral health issues (such as mental health concerns or substance use disorders that don’t require hospitalization) to coordinated community care. Participating hospitals (two per Regional Health Hub) must refer eligible patients to local behavioral health services, while Regional Health Hubs will develop protocols for timely referrals, follow-up, transportation, and appointment scheduling. The State Medicaid program will cover these services, and the Department of Human Services will fund the program through existing Regional Health Hub mechanisms. The pilot aims to improve access to care for patients who currently lack coordinated support after emergency visits.