RD498 - Report Identifying and Addressing Common Barriers to Completing Behavioral Health Assessments within 72 Hours of the Initial Behavioral Health Screening (HB1874) – October 1, 2021


Executive Summary:

Among other things, House Bill 1874 (Special Session I, 2021) directed the Board of Local and Regional Jails (the Board) to (1) review the behavioral health screening and assessment process for individuals committed to local correctional facilities, (2) identify barriers to ensuring that all behavioral health assessments are completed within 72 hours of the behavioral health screening, (3) develop recommendations for addressing such barriers, and (4) report its findings and recommendations to the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security and the Chairmen of the House Committees on Health, Welfare and Institutions and Public Safety and the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services by October 1, 2021. This report fulfills the requirements set forth in HB1874 and, in so doing, provides a general framework for consideration of the issue moving forward.