The Senate Health and Provider Services Committee heard HB 1269 on mental health matters sponsored by Sen. Patricia Miller and Sen. Crider. Author Rep. Clere reported that the bill addresses a number of mental health issues including: (1) authorizing the DOC, county or health navigator to serve as a representative of inmates for the purpose of applying for Medicaid eligibility, (2) requiring the DOC, county or health navigator to assist inmates apply for Medicaid and to secure treatment services upon release or discharge from incarceration, (3) authorizing a community mental health center to assist DOC and jail offenders apply for Medicaid, (4) establishing that a person found to be Medicaid eligible who is incarcerated in DOC or a jail shall have their Medicaid participation suspended for a period not to exceed three years before participation is terminated unless the individual is receiving immediate medical attention, and (5) requiring a person who is arrested and taken into custody to be assessed, subject to available funding, by a qualified and licensed mental health or addictions professional or a provider certified or licensed by DMHA to determine if the person has a mental illness or substance addiction, with required reporting of assessment results and providing for re-assessments until release.
Testimony was heard in support of this bill from the Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers, Mental Health America of Indiana, Children’s Coalition of Indiana, Recovering Kids and Families, Indiana University Health, and the Indiana School Counselor Association. The bill was held until next week for amendment.
Read the bill at http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2015/bills/house/1269.