HB 2096 -- Department of Mental Health Funding

Sponsor:  Hollingsworth

This bill requires the Department of Mental Health to implement
an equitable distribution system for local effort moneys and
state appropriations.  The funds will be distributed to political
subdivisions for the provision of care, treatment,
rehabilitation, and evaluation services on an outpatient basis
for persons affected by mental disorders and mental illness.  The
bill requires the equitable distribution system to be implemented
by July 1, 2007.

By January 1, 2006, the department is required to include
specified components in the equitable distribution system.  The
components include:

(1)  The designation of uniform service areas for outpatient
services for the divisions of Mental Retardation and
Developmental Disabilities, Comprehensive Psychiatric Services,
and Alcohol and Drug Abuse;

(2)  The development of a standard plan and guidelines for local
providers in the designated services areas;

(3)  The development of rules concerning the establishment of
criteria governing the allocation and distribution of funds; and

(4)  Educating and interacting with political subdivisions within
the designated service areas in order to maximize the efficiency
and effectiveness of the distribution of funds and services.

Each political subdivision which receives funding is required to
submit a report to the department which reveals the total dollar
amount of local effort that will be contributed by the political
subdivision for the provision of mental health services.
Political subdivisions can collaborate and pool their local
efforts for the purposes of improving services and increasing
funding for the designated services areas.

The department is also required to establish by rule specific
measurable criteria which will be used to equitably distribute
local effort moneys and state appropriations.

The bill requires that one-half of the local effort moneys and
state appropriations will be distributed proportionally to each
political subdivision.  The remaining one-half of the local
effort and state appropriation will be distributed to political
subdivisions based on the measurable criteria.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:03 am