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2026 Session

Budget Amendments - SB30 (Member Request)

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Chief Patron: Favola
Regional Mobile Crisis Response Team Third-Party Dispatch (language only)

Item 270 #1s

Item 270 #1s

Health and Human Resources
Secretary of Health and Human Resources

Language

Page 306, after line 52, insert:

"C.1. The Secretary of Health and Human Resources, in collaboration with the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), Community Services Boards (CSBs), and regional hubs, shall identify and evaluate any regulatory, billing, training, operational, or other changes necessary to enable CSB regional mobile crisis response teams to be dispatched to individuals in crisis based on calls from third-party callers, including family members and concerned citizens. In conducting such evaluation, the Secretary of Health and Human Resources shall: (i) identify current policies, regulations, and operational protocols that govern regional mobile crisis dispatch, including any provisions that limit dispatch to situations in which verbal consent is obtained directly from the individual in crisis; (ii) assess what changes would be required to authorize dispatch in circumstances in which the individual in crisis is unable or unwilling to verbally consent to the dispatch of a mobile crisis team; (iii) evaluate the billing, reimbursement, and funding implications associated with dispatching regional mobile crisis teams to individuals who may not have consented to the dispatch, including any changes needed to Medicaid or other payer policies; and (iv) examine workforce, training, safety, and operational considerations necessary to support safe and effective responses to third-party calls requesting mobile crisis intervention.

2. The Secretary shall submit a report of the findings and recommendations to the Behavioral Health Commission no later than December 1, 2026. "



Explanation

(This language amendment directs the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, in collaboration with DMAS, DBHDS, CSBs, and regional hubs, to identify the regulatory, billing, or training changes required to enable regional mobile behavioral health crisis response teams to be dispatched based on calls from third parties, which include family members, friends, neighbors, or bystanders, rather than the individual who is experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Regional mobile crisis teams are rarely dispatched in response to 988 calls from third parties, in part due to guidance from DBHDS and 988 contractors who believe third-party dispatch is not allowed. It is unclear whether third-party dispatch is not allowed or why statutory, regulatory, or administrative requirements at the state or federal level would provide such guidance. The Secretary shall report findings and recommendations to the Behavioral Health Commission (BHC) by December 1, 2026. This is a recommendation of the Behavioral Health Commission.)