Final
LLS NO. 06-0068-01
TREATMENT OF PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Votes:
Action Taken:
Moved that the committee carry forward LLS 068 wit
PASS
09:44 AM
Mr. Dohr continued with an explanation of LLS NO. 06-0068-01, concerning demonstration programs for juvenile justice mental health family advocates. The bill provides a declaration of the necessity of such programs, it establishes the programs, it provides a scope for such programs, it creates a reporting system for the programs, and sets the legislation to repeal on July 1, 2009. Senator Windels asked how the programs would be financed. Ms. Hall replied that the bill would come with a fiscal note and no current funding exists. The task force members are aware that the fiscal note will very likely cause problems for the bill. Senator Windels expressed concern that federal funding for demonstration programs like the ones proposed have recently been cut sharply. Representative Stafford asked if the task force had addressed the possibility of private funding. Ms. Hall replied that the task force has not considered that to date. Representative Stafford asked if Ms. Hall had any idea what the actual cost would be for this bill. Ms. Hall stated that a number has not been determined.
09:50 AM
Pilar Ingargiola and Jewelya Lynne, Consultants for Systems Integration (CSI),
came to the table and
explained to the committee how her group determined what the bill should address. They used community focus groups to examine the existing system and study the issue of family advocacy. Other states have seen success with the flexibility that family advocacy brings to the system. It allows individual communities to determine what works best for them. Representative Jahn asked what other states have family advocacy programs that might be used as a model. Ms. Lynne replied that system of care grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration have gone to virtually every state. Representative Stafford asked if this model would bridge well with the family-to-family model. Ms. Lynne answered that this kind of program would bring systems and communities together. Representative Stafford asked if there is a potential for prevention in this legislation. Ms. Ingargiola stated that CSI tried to keep the language broad in order to expand the prevention potential for youth that are at risk for entering the criminal justice system.
BILL:
LLS NO. 06-0068-01
TIME:
09:54:28 AM
MOVED:
Stafford
MOTION:
Moved that the committee carry forward LLS 068 with a favorable recommendation.
SECONDED:
Solano
VOTE
Kester
Excused
Solano
Yes
Stafford
Yes
Takis
Excused
Windels
Yes
Jahn
Yes
Final
YES:
4
NO:
0
EXC:
2
ABS:
0
FINAL ACTION:
PASS
10:02 AM
The committee discussed future meeting dates. the next meeting will be held on November 28 at 9:00 a.m. in HCR 0109.
10:06 AM
The meeting adjourned.