Budget Amendment ID: FY2022-S3-574

EHS 574

Improving Access to Culturally Competent Behavioral Health Services

Mr. Cyr and Ms. Rausch moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section __ the following section:-

“SECTION __. The interagency health equity team, as supported through the office of health equity, shall, in consultation with the advisory council appointed in this section, study ways to improve access to, and the quality of, culturally competent behavioral health services. The review shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the need for greater racial, ethnic and linguistic diversity within the behavioral health workforce; (ii) the role of gender, gender  identity, race, ethnicity, linguistic barriers, status as a client of the department of children and families, status as an incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individual, including justice-involved youth and emerging adults, status as a veteran, status as an individual with post-traumatic stress disorder, status as an aging adult, sexual orientation and social determinants of health regarding behavioral health needs; and (iii) any other factors identified by the team that create disparities in access and quality within the existing behavioral health service delivery system, including stigma, transportation and cost.

The advisory council shall consist of: the chairs of the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery; the chair of the Black and Latino Caucus or a designee; and the following members to be appointed by the commissioner of public health, 1 of whom shall be a local public health official representing a majority-minority municipality, 1 of whom shall be a representative of a racial or ethnic equity advocacy group, 1 of whom shall be a representative of  a linguistic equity advocacy group, 1 of whom shall be a licensed behavioral health provider, 1 of whom shall be a representative of a mental health advocacy group, 1 of whom shall be a representative of an organization serving the health care needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning community, 1 of whom shall be a representative of an organization serving the health care needs of individuals experiencing housing insecurity and 1 of whom shall be an individual with expertise in school-based mental health services.

The team shall meet not less than quarterly with the advisory council. Not later than March 30, 2022 and annually for the following 3 years at the close of the fiscal year, the team shall issue a report with legislative, regulatory or budgetary recommendations to improve the access and quality of culturally competent mental and behavioral health services. The report shall be written in non-technical, readily understandable language and shall be made available to the public by posting the report on the office of health equity’s website.

The office of health equity, the department of mental health and the department of public health may, subject to appropriation, provide administrative, logistical and research support to produce the report.”