The Senate Family and Children Services Committee heard Sen. Breaux’s SB 389 allowing forensic treatment services grants to be awarded to juveniles. Sen. Breaux explained this bill would expand the Recovery Works program to include juveniles as well as adults. The concept was based in part on the National Council of State Legislature’s Report entitled, “Mental Health Needs of Juvenile Offenders”. Sen. Breaux believes the Recovery Works program could meet the needs of juveniles in the juvenile justice system for mental health and substance abuse treatment.
Representatives from Mental Health America and the Children’s Policy and Law Initiative of Indiana testified in favor of the bill. A representative from the Indiana Public Defender Council testified there is a need to address kids who are in detention or the Department of Correction and not covered by Medicaid. In addition, juveniles waived or automatically excluded from juvenile court jurisdiction are not in Recovery Works and they need to be included. The bill passed 8-0 and was recommitted to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2017/bills/senate/389