House Bill 732

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO PROVIDE LEGISLATIVE INTENT REGARDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINE DESIGNATION ACT OF 2020 TO ASSURE THAT ALL MISSISSIPPIANS RECEIVE A CONSISTENT LEVEL OF 9-8-8 AND CRISIS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE, WORK OR TRAVEL IN THE STATE; TO CReate the Study Commission on the 9-8-8 Comprehensive Behavioral Health Crisis Response System; to provide for the members of the study commission; to provide that the study commission sHALL ASSESS AND DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CRISIS RESPONSE SERVICES AND FOR ADEQUATELY FUNDING THE CRISIS RESPONSE SERVICES SYSTEM STATEWIDE TO SUPPORT THE SUSTAINABILITY OF CALL CENTERS AND CRISIS SERVICES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. For the purposes of this act, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings as defined in this section, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) "National Suicide Prevention Lifeline" or "NSPL" means the national program that operates the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system;

(b) "9-8-8" means the universal telephone number for the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system;

(c) "9-8-8 crisis hotline center" means a state identified and funded center participating in the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network to respond to statewide or regional 9-8-8 calls;

(d) "SAMHSA" means the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration;

(e) "Mobile crisis response teams" include behavioral health professionals and peers that provide professional onsite community-based intervention such as de-escalation, stabilization, etc., for individuals who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

SECTION 2. It is the intent of the Legislature to:

(a) Save lives by improving access to appropriate services and supports to respond to behavioral health crises;

(b) Comply with the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 and the Federal Communication Commission's rules adopted on July 16, 2020, to assure that all Mississippians receive a consistent level of 9-8-8 and crisis behavioral health services no matter where they live, work or travel in the state;

(i) Have an active agreement with the administrator of the NSPL for participation within the network;

(ii) Meet NSPL requirements and best practices guidelines for operational and clinical standards;

(iii) Report and participate in evaluations and related quality improvement activities;

(iv) Use technology, including chat and text, that is interoperable across emergency response systems used throughout Mississippi;

(v) Deploy crisis and outgoing services, including mobile crisis response teams, and coordinate access to crisis receiving and stabilization services and other local resources as appropriate and according to guidelines and best practices established by the NSPL;

(vi) Meet the requirements set forth by NSPL for serving high-risk and specialized populations as identified by SAMHSA, including training requirements and policies for transferring hotline callers to an appropriate specialized center or subnetworks within, or external to, the NSPL network;

(vii) Provide follow-up services to individuals accessing the 9-8-8 hotline consistent with guidance and policies established by the NSPL; and

(viii) Provide to the State Department of Mental Health and SAMHSA, as required, an annual report of the 9-8-8 suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis hotline's usage and the services provided;

(d) Appropriate the funds needed for the first year of 9-8-8 implementation and to make additional investments to enhance the crisis response system; and

(e) Maintain access to a statewide crisis system of care that is interconnected, effective and ensures a culturally and linguistically competent response to behavioral health crises.

SECTION 3. (1) There is created the Study Commission on the 9-8-8 Comprehensive Behavioral Health Crisis Response System to assess the statewide crisis response system and make recommendations to:

(a) Remove barriers to access behavioral health crisis services;

(b) Ensure that all residents receive a consistent and effective level of behavioral health crisis services no matter where they live, work or travel in the state;

(c) Adequately fund the crisis response services system statewide to support the sustainability of call centers and crisis services, looking at ongoing funding by Medicaid, federal and state revenue, or other funding sources;

(d) Propose strategies and policies for ongoing coordination with 911 and law enforcement; and

(e) Propose strategies for supporting investment in new technology to triage calls and link individuals to follow-up care.

(2) The study commission shall be comprised of the following members:

(a) The Executive Director of the State Department of Mental Health or his or her designee;

(b) The State Health Officer or the Deputy Director of the State Department of Health;

(d) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency or his or her designee;

(e) The Commissioner of Public Safety or his or her designee;

(f) The Executive Director of the Division of Medicaid or his or her designee;

(g) The Chair of the Mississippi Public Service Commission or his or her designee;

(h) The Chair of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee or his or her designee;

(i) The Chair of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee or his or her designee;

(j) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Association of Police Chiefs;

(k) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Sheriff's Association;

(l) The Director of the Mississippi Center for Emergency Services or his or her designee; and

(m) A representative from the Mississippi Ambulance Alliance.

(3) The Study Commission shall meet within sixty (60) days after the effective date of this act, upon call of the Executive Director of the State Department of Mental Health, and members of the study commission shall meet at least two (2) times per year.

(4) Members of the commission shall not receive any compensation for serving on the commission.

(5) The study commission shall receive reports and updates from the 9-8-8 Planning Coalition and shall consult with the 9-8-8 Planning Coalition to obtain any information necessary to perform a comprehensive study of the statewide crisis response system.

(6) On or before November 1, 2023, the study commission shall prepare and submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the Mississippi Legislature and the Office of the Governor, together with any proposed legislation necessary to implement its recommendations.

(7) Upon presentation of its report, the study commission shall be dissolved.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022.