SCS SB 501 -- OFFICE OF COMPREHENSIVE CHILD MENTAL HEALTH

SPONSOR:  Gibbons (Stefanick)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Children and Families by a vote of 11 to 0.

This substitute establishes the Office of Comprehensive Child
Mental Health within the Department of Mental Health to implement
a comprehensive child mental health service system plan.  The
office will provide oversight, support, training, and
coordination with other departments participating in the
development and implementation of the plan.

The Comprehensive Child Mental Health Clinical Advisory Council
is also established and will include at least 10 members from the
following areas:  pediatric medicine, child psychiatry, child
psychology, social work, clinical counseling, school
psychologist, research, financing, and evaluation.  Members of
the council will share information, identify funding and research
opportunities, and advise the department on how to provide a
comprehensive child mental health system.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2006, FY 2007, and
FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will provide a formal
structure and direction to child mental health agencies as
outlined in last year's SB 1003.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Gibbons; and Department of
Mental Health.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Dominic Lackey, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:21 pm